Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites has completed the second phase of a major shading and cooling project around Mount Arafat ahead of the Hajj 2026 season. The expansion increased the area of shaded and cooled space available to pilgrims fivefold compared with the previous year, covering more than 272,000 square metres across both completed phases.

The project responds directly to the heat challenges that have shaped recent Hajj seasons. With peak rituals falling during the hottest weeks of the year, authorities have invested in dense networks of misting fans, canopies and chilled-water infrastructure to protect pilgrims during the long hours spent outdoors.

What Phase Two Delivers

According to the Royal Commission, phase two of the project added significant new equipment around Mount Mercy at Arafat:

  • 18 modern canopies, each fitted with two misting fans for a total of 36 fans.
  • Seven advanced air-cooling units distributed across the site.
  • 107 misting fan columns placed along pilgrim pathways and gathering areas.

The new installations build on the first phase, completed in 2025, which delivered three canopies, six misting fans and more than 165 misting fan columns. Together, the two phases now span more than 272,000 square metres - a fivefold expansion of the cooled and shaded footprint compared with the area available in 2025.

Why Cooling Matters at Arafat

The Day of Arafat is the central rite of Hajj. Pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat from after Fajr until sunset on 9 Dhul Hijjah, engaging in supplication, dhikr and reflection. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Hajj is Arafat" (Sunan an-Nasa'i 3044), highlighting the centrality of this day.

That single day requires pilgrims to remain in an open desert environment for many hours, often in temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke have been recurring concerns in past seasons, particularly among elderly pilgrims and those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

The Arafat cooling project sits alongside broader infrastructure across the holy sites, including more than 6,000 misting columns and over 25,000 chilled-water taps installed across Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. Around 15,000 air conditioning units have also been integrated into the Mina tent network, which covers approximately 2.5 million square metres.

Part of a Broader Vision

The Royal Commission said the Arafat project forms part of an integrated system aimed at improving conditions at the holy sites and helping pilgrims perform their rites in greater comfort. The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Programme, which target sustainable development across Makkah, Madinah and the surrounding sacred areas.

Kidana Development Company, the executing arm for many holy-sites infrastructure projects, has signalled that further phases are planned in coming years. The aim is to ensure that every pilgrim eventually has access to shaded and cooled space during the Day of Arafat, regardless of their group's assigned location.

What Pilgrims Should Still Do

Improved infrastructure is not a substitute for personal preparation. Pilgrims travelling to Hajj are advised to:

  • Hydrate consistently. Drink water throughout the day, not only when thirsty. Zamzam and bottled water are widely available at the sites.
  • Use sunlight protection. An umbrella is permitted in ihram and provides meaningful protection during outdoor rituals.
  • Avoid peak sun for non-essential movement. Travel between camps and ritual sites is best done during cooler parts of the day where group schedules allow.
  • Recognise heat illness early. Dizziness, headache, nausea and confusion are warning signs. Pilgrims should rest in shade, drink fluids and seek medical help if symptoms persist.
  • Train physically before departure. Hajj involves long periods of walking and standing. Building stamina in the months before travel reduces the burden on the body.

The expanded Arafat cooling network represents one of the most visible infrastructure changes of the 2026 season. For the millions of Muslims who will perform Hajj in future years, the project signals that the Kingdom continues to invest in physical safeguards for the spiritual journey at the heart of the pilgrimage.