Malham, north of Riyadh, is preparing to welcome the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2026, organized by the Saudi Falcons Club in November, an event that brings falconers and falconry enthusiasts together in competitions that celebrate one of the most prominent cultural traditions tied to the history of the Kingdom and the Arabian Peninsula.
The festival is a gathering for falconers from inside and outside the Kingdom, combining competitions and heritage events with attention to falcon bloodlines and methods of training and care, helping to preserve falconry and introduce new generations to this heritage.
Attention during the festival turns to a number of falcon competitions, led by the Al Melwah races, which test falcons' speed over a set distance as participants compete for the fastest times.
The Mazayen beauty competitions, which focus on the beauty and characteristics of falcons, add another dimension to the competition alongside the tests of speed and performance.
Entries span different categories and types of falcon, including Saker, Peregrine and Gyr, with organizational and technical procedures for inspecting falcons and documenting entries and results.
The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2026 goes beyond sporting competition. It is a platform for presenting falconry as part of the Kingdom's cultural and social heritage.
The event gives enthusiasts a closer look at the world of falcons, from training and conditioning methods to care and the preservation of bloodlines, supporting the transfer of knowledge and experience among falconers and practitioners.
The festival also provides an annual space that brings experts and amateurs together and helps them exchange experiences in breeding, training and caring for falcons.
The Economic and Tourism Dimension of Falconry
The festival also highlights the economic dimensions of the falcon sector and its related activities, services and supplies, along with its role in energizing events and cultural tourism tied to local heritage.
The event reflects the Saudi Falcons Club's efforts to develop the falconry sector, organize its events to professional standards, and preserve the continuity of this heritage and strengthen its presence at home and abroad.
