Drone Champions League announces the city of AlUla, Saudi Arabia as host for Super Final 2023

AlUla, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 6^th December 2023:

Excitement in the world of drone racing has reached new heights as the DCL Drone Champions League today unveiled AlUla as the prestigious venue for the Super Final 2023, setting the stage in the extraordinary ancient city.

The world will soon be witness to the most extraordinary display of skill, innovation, and technology as the DCL Super Final 2023 is set to take place on the 20^th of December 2023 in the heart of AlUla’s Old Town, which has been recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization as one of the world’s Best Tourism Villages in 2022.

Rami AlMoallim, Vice President of Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), expressed his excitement, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome the DCL Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 to AlUla. AlUla has been always a place for gathering on the old Incense Trading Route, with 7000 years of continuous human civilisations, and we are committed to showcase the beauty of AlUla to the world once again with various innovative activities and hosting unforgettable events.”

Markus Stampfer, Chairman of the Board of DCL Drone Champions League, added, “The Super Final 2023 in AlUla will not only showcase the incredible skill and innovation of our competing teams but also highlight the beauty and cultural significance of this extraordinary location. We are committed to working closely with local authorities and stakeholders to ensure that this event benefits the AlUla community and promotes sustainable tourism in the region.”

The event marks the first Super Final to be ever held in a GCC country, that will not only showcase the historical significance of AlUla, the ancient city that is home to Hegra, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia, but will add to its thrilling roster of annual sports events.

The event is set to captivate audiences in AlUla at the Old Town Amphitheatre. The unique final blends physical and virtual elements, with pilots stationed in AlUla but manoeuvring their drones virtually within the amphitheatre. The colossal screen at the venue promises a real-time spectacle for onlookers. The event will spotlight AlUla, while enticing both local communities and drone/e-game enthusiasts nationwide and across the GCC to partake in this thrilling convergence of technology and sport.

While no physical drones will be flying in AlUla, it will be a chance for drone sports enthusiasts to enjoy the stunning and diverse landscapes of AlUla, varying between golden canyons, lush green oasis or spectacular geological marvels. It’s an event that will not only showcase the spectacular natural beauty of AlUla, but also decide the World Champion of Drone Racing. The convergence of technology, athleticism, and AlUla’s vision for sports and adventure will make this Super Final a truly exceptional and unforgettable experience.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Drone Champions League (DCL) – stefany.cardenas@bcw-global.com

Experience AlUla (RCU) – RCU.Destination@hkstrategies.com

About DCL – Drone Champions League:

The DCL Drone Champions League is the global leader in professional drone racing. With a mission to combine cutting-edge technology and stunning locations, DCL has created a one-of-a-kind racing series that captures the imagination of millions worldwide. Featuring the world’s best drone racing teams, DCL events deliver high-speed excitement and jaw-dropping visuals in iconic destinations.

For more information, please visit: dcl.aero

About AlUla:

Located 1,100 km from Riyadh, in North-West Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place of extraordinary natural beauty and human heritage. The vast area, covering 22,561km², includes a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years to when the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms reigned.

The most well-known and recognised site in AlUla is Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. A 52-hectare ancient city, Hegra was the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom and is comprises of 111 well-preserved tombs, many with elaborate facades cut out of the sandstone outcrops surrounding the walled urban settlement.

Current research also suggests Hegra was the most southern outpost of the Roman Empire after the Roman’s conquered the Nabataeans in 106 CE.

In addition to Hegra, AlUla is also home to ancient Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms and considered to be one of the most developed 1st millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula, and Jabal Ikmah, an open-air library of hundreds of inscriptions and writings in many different languages, which has been recently listed on the UNESCO’s memory of the World Register. Also, AlUla Old Town Village, a labyrinth of more than 900 mudbrick homes developed from at least the 12th century, which has been selected as one of the World’s Best Tourism Villages in 2022 by the UNWTO. Additionally, Hijaz Railway and Hegra Fort, which are key sites in the story and conquests of Lawrence of Arabia.

For more information, please visit: www.experiencealula.com

About AlUla Moments:

AlUla Moments is AlUla’s new home for events. AlUla Moments calendar was launched at the end of 2021 and introduced new festivals and events to celebrate and unlock AlUla’s stories, uncover its secrets, and celebrate local and international cultures. With 7,000 years of civilisations and home to some of the most sophisticated ancient kingdoms of antiquity, AlUla is no stranger to social gatherings and cultural celebrations.

AlUla Moments calendar comprises five festivals offering diverse experiences in art, culture, music, nature, wellness, equestrian activities, dining, and astronomy. The AlUla Wellness Festival featuring the latest practices to engage the mind, body and soul; Winter at Tantora, the original AlUla celebration of heritage, culture, fashion and music; the Ancient Kingdoms Festival offers immersive events acknowledging the ancient civilisations that lived in AlUla and its neighbouring oases in Khaybar and Tayma; AlUla Skies Festival with the popular hot air balloons and stargazing experiences; and AlUla Arts Festival bringing together contemporary and ancient art events and experiences.

In addition to the festivals, AlUla Moments calendar offers several marquee events including AZIMUTH, Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup, AlUla Camel Cup, world-class fashion shows, adventure events and sporting events.

For more information, please visit experiencealula.com/en/alula-moments