Watch: Dubai World Cup 2025's record-breaking closing ceremony with drones and fireworks

Dubai: A superb display of technological brilliance and artistry wowed a crowd of more than 65,000 during the closing ceremony of the Dubai World Cup 2025 at the Meydan Racecourse on Saturday.

Combining cutting-edge drone technology, lasers, lights, and an awe-inspiring fireworks display, the event set new benchmarks in visual entertainment, showcasing Dubai's ability to push the boundaries of innovation.

The nearly 20-minute show captivated the audience with breathtaking visuals, most notably the creation of the world’s largest flying LED screen formed by thousands of drones that created mammoth 3D sculptures in the sky.

According to the Guinness World Records website, the largest flying LED screen formed by multirotor drones is 5,983 and was achieved by Dubai Racing Club on March 28, 2025.

“Dubai Racing Club broke their own record attempted previously, with a total of 5,983 they have created the largest screen made of drones, with the ability to present videos and images, similar to a commercially available screen, this showcases the innovation and technology of drones. This was part of their closing ceremony of Dubai Racing festival,” Guinness stated.

Though the Racing Club is yet to make an announcement about this, the show began with a message on the LED screen, invisible in the dark, stating that it is a three-time winner of the Guinness World Records.

The world’s largest LED screen was created by 4,000 drones at the closing ceremony of the Dubai World Cup last year. This aerial display also received Guinness World Records for the largest aerial trophy and the largest aerial logo.

During this year’s show, the drones formed dynamic 3D sculptures in the sky, displaying massive portraits of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and those of three Dubai princes, as well as images of running horses and the prestigious World Cup trophy.

These impressive displays spanned the width of the racecourse, filling the night sky with a fusion of pyrotechnics, LED lights, and aerial choreography. The drones moved in perfect synchronisation, forming intricate patterns and enhancing the grandeur of the evening. The marvellous visuals also conveyed the deep cultural significance of horses to the UAE, a symbol of pride and respect.

The ceremony also saw small aircraft with fireworks trailing behind them being used for synchronised pyrotechnic displays, adding to the spectacle as fireworks cascaded from the sky.

In addition to the visual brilliance, the event carried a strong emotional and cultural message. Throughout the show, powerful verses written by Sheikh Mohammed were displayed in the sky, celebrating the love for horses and the bond between the animals, their riders, and the UAE people.

"The horse is a part of our lives," read one prominent message displayed on the invisible, larger-than-life screen.

The lyrics, set against a backdrop of an Arabic song, underscored the UAE’s deep respect for the equestrian life, honouring the riders and those who nurture the horses.

The narrative of the show also celebrated the "people of honour, chivalry and prominence," referring to both the horses and their companions.

A message displayed along with the images of the two leaders demonstrated the nation’s commitment to its equestrian heritage—"We always back the horse, the rider, and those who raise the flag.”

In addition to the tributes to the horses and riders, the ceremony incorporated the logos of the World Cup and its key sponsors, acknowledging the significant contributions of the partners involved. The world-class production, which set multiple Guinness World Records, left the audience in awe.

The show ended with a big thank you to all and the message: “See you next year: 30th anniversary of Dubai World Cup.”