The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival is expanding opportunities for locally bred falcons to compete in international events through an initiative by the National Falconry Centre that links falcon auctions with competitive racing.
The initiative aims to give local breeders and owners greater opportunities to showcase the abilities of Saudi-bred falcons in racing competitions, while strengthening the connection between breeding, sales and sporting performance.
During the 2026 International Falcon Breeders Auction, the centre dedicated all the Farkh rounds to falcons sold through the auction. Both local and international participants can compete in these rounds. Once ownership is transferred, purchased falcons become eligible to enter races in accordance with the competition regulations.
The approach gives buyers a direct pathway from purchasing a falcon to competing in events organised or co-organised by the centre. It also adds a competitive dimension to local breeding, with a falcon’s racing performance and potential in Al-Melwah competitions becoming important factors alongside its bloodline and breeding quality.
Greater Opportunities for Local Breeders
Sulaiman Al-Dahas, a falcon farm owner and established breeder, described the festival as an international gathering that brings together falconers from different countries and reflects the historical and cultural importance of falconry in Saudi Arabia.
He said the festival has helped expand the international presence of Saudi falconry, giving breeders and falconers opportunities to learn about different falcon breeds and breeding practices. It has also encouraged greater attention to bloodlines, production quality and conservation.
Al-Dahas noted that the festival’s focus on young falcons from auction sales has created more opportunities for local farms to participate alongside international breeders.
He said: “There are international farms, and we, as local farms, now have greater opportunities to participate through the exclusive use of young falcons from auction sales.”
He also praised the National Falconry Centre for supporting falconers, organising events and promoting local breeding. According to Al-Dahas, bringing auctions and competitions together creates more opportunities for Saudi breeders to demonstrate the quality of locally produced falcons.
He added that Saudi breeders aim to expand their presence at international events and achieve stronger results in global competitions, supported by growing interest in breeding and continued improvements in falcon quality and bloodlines.
Al-Dahas also emphasised that falconry remains an important part of Saudi Arabia’s history and cultural identity. Supporting local breeding and developing competitions, he said, will help preserve this heritage and pass it on to future generations while strengthening its international presence.
The National Falconry Centre will organise the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2026 from November 17 to 30 at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh. The event will bring together local and international falconers competing for prizes worth more than SAR 38 million across 141 rounds in the Al-Melwah and Al-Mazayen competitions.
