Hajj 2026: Complete Pilgrim's Guide to Dates, Quotas, Costs, and What's New

Hajj 1447 AH (2026 CE) falls in the first week of June 2026, with Yawm at-Tarwiyah on 4 June, the Day of Arafah on 5 June, and Eid al-Adha on 6 June. The Saudi Supreme Court confirmed these dates following the sighting of the crescent moon for Dhul Hijjah on 27 May 2026. As with every Hajj, dates remain subject to the moon-sighting principle and the official Saudi announcement is the binding reference.

This guide covers the confirmed 2026 dates, country-by-country quotas, how to apply for Hajj from your country, the 2026 cost picture, what is new in the Saudi Hajj system this year, the brief ritual overview, and a planning checklist for those already looking ahead to Hajj 2027. For the Hajj visa specifically and its cost structure, see our Hajj visa and cost guide. For pilgrims combining Hajj-area travel with Umrah outside the season, see our Umrah travel planning guide.

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Hajj 2026 Key Dates

The Saudi Supreme Court announced the following dates for Hajj 1447 AH based on the official crescent-moon observation:

• 1 Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH = Thursday, 28 May 2026
• 8 Dhul Hijjah (Yawm at-Tarwiyah, departure for Mina) = Thursday, 4 June 2026
• 9 Dhul Hijjah (Yawm Arafah, the Day of Arafah) = Friday, 5 June 2026
• 10 Dhul Hijjah (Eid al-Adha, day of sacrifice and first day of Tashreeq) = Saturday, 6 June 2026
• 11–13 Dhul Hijjah (Ayyam at-Tashreeq, remaining Hajj days in Mina) = Sunday 7 June – Tuesday 9 June 2026

The fact that the Day of Arafah falls on a Friday in 2026 is religiously significant — a Hajj where Arafah coincides with Friday (a Hajj al-Akbar in popular tradition, though the term has multiple scholarly interpretations) draws additional pilgrims and is considered especially meritorious. Expect a particularly crowded Hajj as a result.

How Hajj Has Changed for 2026

Several Saudi reforms continue to shape the 2026 Hajj experience:

• Nusuk Hajj for non-OIC countries. Since 2022, pilgrims from non-OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) countries — primarily Western Europe, North America, Australia, and parts of Asia — can apply for Hajj directly through the Saudi government's Nusuk Hajj platform, bypassing local country agents. For 2026 this includes the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, EU member states, Japan, and South Korea. OIC-member nationals still apply through their national Hajj missions.
• Smart Hajj cards. Replacing earlier paper-based pilgrim ID. The smart card consolidates accommodation assignment, transport between holy sites, meal entitlements, and emergency identification. Issued to all Hajj pilgrims on arrival.
• Expanded Mashaer train. The metro line connecting Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat now operates at higher capacity, reducing the bus bottlenecks that previously slowed pilgrim movement during Tarwiyah and the return from Arafah.
• Tightened anti-fraud enforcement. Following the 2024 deaths of unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to authorised cooling stations and water points during extreme heat, Saudi authorities have escalated fines, deportations, and entry bans for unregistered Hajj travellers. Travelling for Hajj on a tourist eVisa or an Umrah visa is illegal and aggressively enforced.
• Continued road and crowd-control investment. Pedestrian routes between Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat have been widened and shaded in additional sections. New cooling stations operate during all daylight hours of the Hajj days.

Country Quotas for Hajj 2026

Saudi Arabia allocates Hajj quotas to each country roughly in proportion to its Muslim population (1 in 1,000 is the historical guideline). 2026 quotas (figures approximate, based on Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announcements):

• Indonesia: approximately 221,000 pilgrims (largest national quota)
• Pakistan: approximately 179,000
• India: approximately 175,000
• Bangladesh: approximately 127,000
• Nigeria: approximately 95,000
• Egypt: approximately 90,000
• Iran: approximately 87,000
• Turkey: approximately 80,000
• Malaysia: approximately 31,000
• Algeria: approximately 41,000
• Morocco: approximately 34,000
• United Kingdom: approximately 25,000
• United States: approximately 18,000
• France: approximately 25,000
• Germany: approximately 12,000
• Canada: approximately 6,000
• Australia: approximately 5,000

Total Hajj 2026 capacity is around 1.8 to 2.0 million pilgrims. The actual figure depends on Saudi authorities' final Mina accommodation allocations and any late quota adjustments.

How to Apply From Your Country

OIC-member country residents

If you live in an OIC member state (Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Egypt, Nigeria, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia itself, GCC, and so on), you apply through your country's official Hajj authority:

• Malaysia: Tabung Haji (TH). Long waiting list — most pilgrims wait 30+ years for their turn. Estimated 2026 package cost RM 31,000 to RM 38,000 (subsidised).
• Indonesia: Kementerian Agama (Kemenag). Waiting list 20-40 years depending on province. Cost approximately Rp 70 million (subsidised); unsubsidised "ONH Plus" packages from Rp 110 million.
• Pakistan: Ministry of Religious Affairs runs a government quota; private quota also available via authorised operators. Government scheme cost approximately PKR 1.2 to 1.8 million for 2026.
• Bangladesh: Ministry of Religious Affairs allocates between government and private packages. 2026 cost approximately BDT 700,000 to 1,200,000.
• India: Haj Committee of India runs the government quota; private operators handle the remainder. Combined applications via the official Haj Committee portal. 2026 cost approximately INR 4 to 6 lakh for the standard government package.
• Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Turkey, Iran: each runs a national Hajj mission with subsidised pricing for the main quota and unsubsidised packages for the remainder.

Non-OIC country residents

For pilgrims in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, EU, Japan, South Korea, and other non-OIC countries, the process changed substantially in 2022 with the introduction of Nusuk Hajj.

1. Register on Nusuk Hajj at hajj.nusuk.sa when the application window opens (typically Dhul Qa'dah of the previous year — so the 2026 window opened around late October/November 2025).
2. Choose a package tier. Nusuk Hajj offers three tiers (standard, premium, and luxury) at varying price points. 2026 tier costs from a non-OIC country are approximately USD 8,000 (standard) to USD 18,000 (luxury).
3. Pay deposit and submit documents. Vaccination records, passport, photo, and personal information.
4. Receive confirmation and visa. Hajj visa is issued through Nusuk Hajj — you do not apply for the visa separately.

Country-licensed Hajj operators (the historical UK/US/Canadian Hajj group leaders) still exist and many pilgrims prefer them for the guided support — the Nusuk Hajj platform also offers operator-supported tiers in addition to self-arranged.

The Cost Picture

Hajj 2026 total package costs (visa, flights, all accommodation, transport in Saudi, meals, sacrifice, group leader services) vary widely by country and tier:

• Subsidised national packages (Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan government quota): USD 4,000 to USD 8,000 equivalent.
• Standard private packages from OIC countries: USD 6,000 to USD 12,000.
• Nusuk Hajj from non-OIC countries: USD 8,000 to USD 18,000 depending on tier.
• Luxury packages (Hilton Suites, Fairmont Clock Tower, business-class flights): USD 25,000 to USD 50,000+ per pilgrim.

For comparison: the same accommodation in Makkah during Hajj season costs 4 to 8 times its off-season rate. The Saudi Hajj season is when the entire Makkah hotel inventory commands its annual peak.

See our Hajj visa and cost guide for the detailed cost breakdown by component.

The Hajj Rites — A Brief Overview

Hajj consists of the following major rites performed over five days (8 to 12 Dhul Hijjah). This is a summary for context; pilgrims must learn the detailed rules and contingencies before travel.

1. Ihram — entering the sacred state at the designated Miqat point, two unstitched white garments for men, regular modest clothing for women.
2. Tawaf al-Qudum (arrival tawaf) — seven circuits around the Kaaba, performed for pilgrims arriving in Makkah before going to Mina.
3. 8 Dhul Hijjah (Yawm at-Tarwiyah) — departure to Mina. Stay overnight performing prayers.
4. 9 Dhul Hijjah (Yawm Arafah) — the defining day of Hajj. Spend from noon to sunset at Arafat in prayer and supplication. After sunset, proceed to Muzdalifah for the night.
5. 10 Dhul Hijjah (Eid al-Adha) — return to Mina at dawn. Stone the largest of the three Jamarat (Jamrat al-Aqaba) with seven pebbles. Perform the sacrifice (typically delegated). Shave or trim hair (halq or taqsir). Remove ihram. Return to Makkah for the obligatory Tawaf al-Ifadah and the Sa'i between Safa and Marwah.
6. 11–12 Dhul Hijjah — return to Mina for two more nights. Stone all three Jamarat each afternoon.
7. 13 Dhul Hijjah (optional) — those who delay departure stone all three Jamarat one more time before leaving Mina.
8. Tawaf al-Wada (farewell tawaf) — final tawaf before leaving Makkah.

For the full step-by-step guide with prayers, conditions, and what to do if you miss a rite or make a mistake, see our step-by-step rites guide (which covers the shared rites of Umrah and Hajj) and consult the Hajj-specific manuals published by your country's religious authority.

Practical Logistics for 2026 Pilgrims

The most pressing practical issues for pilgrims travelling for Hajj 2026 are heat, crowds, and accommodation distance.

• Heat: early June Makkah temperatures routinely exceed 40°C (104°F) and can hit 45°C (113°F) during the day. The Day of Arafah, spent largely outdoors, is particularly hot. Hydrate aggressively (water and oral rehydration salts), use a cooling spray bottle, wear loose ihram (men) or breathable modest clothing (women), and stay in shade where possible. Heat stroke is the leading cause of pilgrim death in modern Hajj.
• Crowds: 1.8 to 2 million pilgrims compress into a few square kilometres. The Day of Arafah and the return from Muzdalifah to Mina at dawn on 10 Dhul Hijjah are the densest moments. Follow your group leader's timing — going early is usually safer than the peak rush.
• Accommodation distance: hotels closest to the Haram (within 500m) are reserved for the highest tier packages. Standard tier accommodation can be 1 to 3 km from the Haram, with shuttle bus or walking access. Plan for the walk in the heat.
• Communications: Saudi SIM cards (STC, Mobily, Zain) sold at airports work well in Makkah. The Haram free Wi-Fi is unreliable during peak prayer times. WhatsApp is widely used for group coordination.
• Money: bring a mix of cash (small denomination Saudi riyals for tips, taxis, and small purchases) and an international card. Most hotels and major shops accept cards. ATMs around the Haram dispense Saudi riyals but can run dry during peak Hajj days.

Hajj 2026 Health and Safety Requirements

• Meningitis ACWY vaccination is mandatory for all pilgrims, certificate at least 10 days old before arrival and not more than 3 years old. This is the same requirement as for Umrah — see our Umrah visa requirements guide for details.
• Polio vaccination is required for pilgrims from countries with active polio transmission (Afghanistan, Pakistan, and several African nations as of 2026).
• Yellow fever required from endemic countries (sub-Saharan Africa, parts of tropical Latin America).
• COVID-19 requirements have shifted multiple times — verify current rules at moh.gov.sa close to your departure date.
• Medical kit: bring sufficient supplies of any chronic medication, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, anti-diarrhoeals, antiseptic cream for blisters, and any personal first aid. Saudi pharmacies are well-stocked but the queues during Hajj are long.

Looking Ahead — Hajj 2027 Planning

For those whose 2026 plans did not work out, Hajj 1448 AH (2027) is expected to fall in late May 2027 — Day of Arafah approximately 25 May 2027, Eid al-Adha approximately 26 May 2027 (subject to moon sighting).

The 2027 application windows opened or open as follows:

• Malaysia (Tabung Haji): you should already be on the waiting list. New registrations now serve future decades, not the next year.
• Indonesia (Kemenag): the same. The current waiting list is the longest in the world; new registrations are for the 2050s and beyond.
• Nusuk Hajj (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, EU, Japan, South Korea, etc.): the 2027 application window typically opens late October or November 2026. Monitor hajj.nusuk.sa and your country's national Hajj coordinator.
• UK private operators: typically open booking in autumn 2026 for the 2027 season. Deposits of GBP 1,000 to 3,000 are common.
• US private operators: similar timing, deposit USD 2,000 to 5,000.

Hajj allocation is by quota: registration alone does not guarantee a place. Begin early, confirm your country's allocation channel, and build the financial commitment plan well in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hajj 2026 happening on Friday? The Day of Arafah (9 Dhul Hijjah, the defining day of Hajj) falls on Friday 5 June 2026. Eid al-Adha is on Saturday 6 June 2026.

Can I perform Hajj on a tourist eVisa or Umrah visa? No. Hajj requires the specific Hajj visa issued through Nusuk Hajj or your country's licensed operator. Performing Hajj on a tourist or Umrah visa is illegal and aggressively enforced — fines, deportation, and entry bans apply.

How long does the full Hajj trip take? Most packages run 14 to 28 days. The Hajj rites themselves are five days. The rest of the trip is travel, days in Madinah, and arrival/departure time.

Can I perform Hajj more than once? Yes. Many pilgrims perform Hajj multiple times. The first Hajj fulfils the religious obligation; subsequent Hajj is supererogatory (nafl).

What is Hajj Badal — Hajj performed on behalf of someone else? A pilgrim can perform Hajj on behalf of a deceased person who was unable to perform Hajj in their lifetime, or on behalf of a living person who is unable to travel due to age or chronic illness. The pilgrim must already have performed Hajj for themselves first.

Is there a minimum or maximum age for Hajj? Saudi authorities periodically set an age cap (commonly 65 to 80) for the subsidised quota in some countries. Nusuk Hajj has no age limit but pilgrims with serious chronic conditions are strongly advised against undertaking the physical demands of Hajj. There is no minimum age but Hajj is obligatory only for those who have reached puberty.

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For the comprehensive Umrah counterpart — the lesser pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of year — see our Umrah travel planning guide and step-by-step Umrah rites guide. For the broader logistics of Muslim travel, see our halal tourism guide.