This year, Mongolia will organise the traditional Naadam Festival at same time in Ulaanbaatar and the 339 soums of the country’s 21 provinces on 10-13 July. Traditionally, there are ‘little naadams’ in different parts of the country, which occur independently from the national Naadam.

In addition, the Festival will take place at the XIII Century Complex, 90 km east of Ulaanbaatar. The XIII Century Complex is owned by Genco Tour. Originally, it had been planned that the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the wrestling would take place at the National Sports Stadium; however, the location has been moved due to pandemic. A total of 512 wrestlers are expected to compete in the traditional wrestling competition which gives rankings.

The opening ceremony of the Naadam will be directed by B.Baatar from Hero Entertainment.

Originating from the Mongolian Empire of Chinggis Khaan, Naadam is a festival of which the nation is proud and a symbol of unity among the nomads. Meaning, ‘the games’, Naadam is celebrated every year across Mongolia and focuses on the three traditional sports of horseracing, wrestling and archery.

Due to the pandemic, Mongolia’s biggest tourist attraction, the ‘Naadam’ Festival, is expected to be held without foreign audiences. According to statistics, at least 11,000 tourists come to Mongolia every year specifically to watch the Naadam.

This year, will mark the 2229th anniversary of the nation; the 814th anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire and the 99th anniversary of the People’s Revolution in Mongolia, which brought independence from Chinese occupation.