With the 2026 Hajj season concluded and pilgrims departing Makkah, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, Saudi authorities have begun a vast post-season operation to reset the holy sites. According to Arab News, the work involves dismantling temporary facilities, maintaining infrastructure, and preparing the sites for next year's pilgrimage.
Official statistics show 1,707,301 pilgrims performed Hajj in 2026, an increase of 2.04 percent over 2025. Of that total, 1,546,655 arrived from outside the Kingdom, including 1,485,729 who travelled by air, while 160,646 were citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia.
Standing Down the Emergency Network
The Saudi Red Crescent Authority begins its operational closure as soon as the pilgrimage ends. A representative told Arab News that the authority follows organised plans designed to maintain readiness while making the best use of resources.
During Hajj, the authority operates two kinds of emergency centres. Permanent steel-structured facilities are secured and closed after the season, while temporary units made of tents and portable cabins are dismantled and moved to warehouses for future use.
Medical and emergency equipment is inventoried and withdrawn from the various regions that supplied it, then inspected to confirm operational readiness and the availability of spare parts and consumables. The authority coordinates with maintenance companies and technical teams throughout the year, supported by workshops and training to keep staff prepared.
Kidana's Year-Round Maintenance Cycle
Kidana Development Co., the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, begins a new operational phase immediately after Hajj. Its work focuses on inspection, maintenance, rehabilitation, and infrastructure assessment ahead of the following season.
The company manages its work through an integrated cycle of four stages: Hajj operations, post-season maintenance, preventive maintenance, and operational preparation for the next season. Inspections run on two levels. The first covers permanent infrastructure such as electricity and water networks, where teams assess any damage from the intense pressure of the season. The second covers temporary facilities and operational assets, which are classified by condition.
According to Arab News, some assets are repaired and rehabilitated for reuse, others are securely stored, and damaged items are replaced with newer, more efficient alternatives. The company described the post-Hajj period as one of its most demanding phases, requiring thousands of assets across vast areas to be restored in a limited time while new development projects proceed.
Managing the Mountain of Waste
Waste management is one of the largest post-Hajj challenges. Sultan Al-Harthi, spokesperson for the National Center for Waste Management, told Arab News that the pilgrimage generates several types of waste, including municipal solid waste, healthcare waste, slaughterhouse waste, and waste from the Adahi project.
Each type follows a designated pathway. Municipal waste is transferred to the Al-Akayshiyah landfill, while healthcare waste from hospitals and clinics is transported to specialised treatment facilities outside Makkah. Slaughterhouse waste goes to designated treatment sites, and waste from the Saudi Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi is processed at the Fajj Al-Haraman landfill.
Al-Harthi said the biggest challenge is the sharp increase in waste over a short period, compounded by noncompliance from some service providers and a limited number of specialised private-sector firms. He called for stronger coordination, improved compliance, and greater empowerment of specialised companies.
Learning From the Data
Transport systems also undergo maintenance. Buses used to carry pilgrims are serviced and returned to operators, while the Al-Mashaaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro is technically inspected before entering standby mode until the next season.
Authorities review operational data gathered during Hajj, including crowd movement, transportation efficiency, emergency response times, and heat mitigation. The findings feed directly into planning for future seasons as Saudi Arabia expands pilgrimage capacity under Vision 2030.
For pilgrims preparing for Hajj 2027, the post-season reset is a reminder that planning never truly stops. Those intending to perform Hajj should register early through official channels, keep passports and health requirements up to date, and follow guidance from their national Hajj missions as preparations for the next season are already under way.