Naadam — The Festival of Three Games

The Naadam Festival (Наадам, "three games of men") is the largest and most important festival in Mongolia — a national spectacle celebrated throughout the country, with roots in the warrior games of Genghis Khan's era. The three disciplines — wrestling, archery, and horse racing — represent the three skills a Mongolian warrior had to master.

The Three Disciplines

• Wrestling (Bökh): 512 wrestlers compete in a knockout system — without weight classes! There is no time limit, no rope, and no ring: the first to touch the ground with any body part other than the feet loses. Wrestlers wear an open top (Zodog) and short boots, and each victory is celebrated with a ritual eagle dance. The final can last for hours.
• Archery (Sur Harwaa): Men and women shoot traditional composite bows at small leather cylinders on the ground, from 75 m (men) and 65 m (women) distances. The referees stand next to the targets and indicate hits with a melodic chant and raised arms.
• Horse Racing (Morin Uraldaan): The most spectacular event: children aged 5–13 ride 15–30 km through the open steppe. No saddles, no helmets, just child and horse. The races start far outside the city and end on a straight path in front of the cheering crowd. The first five horses are honored as "Five Airagiin," the last horse receives a consoling song.

When and Where?

The main Naadam takes place from July 11–15 in Ulaanbaatar (opening at the National Stadium). However, in every provincial capital and even in small villages, there are local Naadam festivals — often more authentic, intimate, and without the tourist crowds of UB. Ask your guide about local festivals!