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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.
The Saudi Supreme Court announced the following dates for Hajj 1447 AH based on the official crescent-moon observation:
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.
Several Saudi reforms continue to shape the 2026 Hajj experience:
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):
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.
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:
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.
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).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.
Hajj 2026 total package costs (visa, flights, all accommodation, transport in Saudi, meals, sacrifice, group leader services) vary widely by country and tier:
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.
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.
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.
The most pressing practical issues for pilgrims travelling for Hajj 2026 are heat, crowds, and accommodation distance.
moh.gov.sa close to your departure date.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:
hajj.nusuk.sa and your country's national Hajj coordinator.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.
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.
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.
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