Organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, the festival featured 139 rounds across multiple categories and offered 1,012 prizes worth over SR38 million, creating a vibrant platform for both professional and amateur falconers to showcase their skills.

Twelve international professionals were crowned winners of the King Abdulaziz Cups in the Milwah competition, which tests the speed, agility, and training of competing falcons over 400 meters, highlighting the technical precision and expertise of participants.

Bahraini and Emirati falconers dominated the international rounds, each claiming four titles, reflecting the high level of competition and growing prominence of the festival as a global center for falconry excellence.

The Mazayen beauty pageant, evaluating falcons on strict aesthetic standards, began alongside the racing events, attracting competitors from the Gulf, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Pakistan, and the Syrian Arab Republic, emphasizing the festival’s diverse and international appeal.

Cash prizes for the Mazayen contest reward top performers, with first place receiving SR300,000, second place SR175,000, third SR100,000, fourth SR30,000, and fifth SR20,000, incentivizing skillful training and presentation of the birds.

The festival has grown steadily since its launch in 2019, achieving global recognition and setting three Guinness World Records as the largest falcon festival in terms of participating birds, underlining Saudi Arabia’s leadership in promoting traditional sports.

The Milwah race includes separate categories for local and international competitors, as well as divisions for owners, amateurs, professionals, and elite falconers, allowing for a fair and comprehensive assessment of skills across all levels of experience.

Festival organizers emphasize the cultural and historical significance of falconry, combining sport, tradition, and conservation to strengthen the heritage and global appreciation of falcon breeding and training practices.

Participants in both Milwah and Mazayen competitions demonstrate advanced techniques in handling, conditioning, and training their falcons, with careful attention to speed, stamina, posture, plumage, and overall health.

The event also serves as a hub for knowledge exchange, connecting falconers from different countries to share methods, breeding practices, and innovations in falcon care, contributing to the global advancement of the sport.

With extensive international participation, the festival has become a destination for falconry enthusiasts worldwide, fostering networking, cultural exchange, and the celebration of traditional Arabian sporting heritage.

The competition’s rigorous judging criteria ensure that only the most exceptional falcons are recognized, with attention to physical attributes, agility, and performance in Milwah races, as well as symmetry, plumage quality, and elegance in Mazayen rounds.

Saudi Falcons Club officials highlight that the festival not only showcases competitive excellence but also promotes wildlife conservation, education, and public engagement in falconry as a valued cultural asset.

The festival includes workshops, demonstrations, and interactive sessions for spectators, allowing attendees to gain insights into falconry techniques, training regimens, and the care of these birds of prey.

Global recognition of the festival continues to grow, making it a key annual event in the falconry calendar and attracting participants seeking both competitive prestige and international exposure.

The event exemplifies the fusion of tradition and sport, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity while positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in falconry and wildlife conservation initiatives.

The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival remains a unique celebration of skill, heritage, and international camaraderie, inspiring the next generation of falconers and promoting the sustainability of falconry practices worldwide.

The auction has once again highlighted the cultural, economic, and sporting significance of falconry in Saudi Arabia.

The most expensive bird of the evening, a Shaheen falcon, opened bidding at SR150,000 ($39,994) before a series of competitive offers drove the final price to SR360,000 ($95,986).

The excitement and competition among buyers reflected the high esteem in which these elite birds are held. A second Shaheen falcon was sold for SR101,000, bringing total sales for the night to SR461,000.

Falconers prize Shaheen falcons for their breeding quality, rarity, and exceptional hunting abilities. These attributes make them highly sought after not only within Saudi Arabia but across the globe.

The auction has evolved into a premier event for falcon enthusiasts, attracting buyers and sellers of top-tier local and international breeding stock, ensuring that the tradition continues while also supporting economic opportunities in the sector.

The Saudi Falcons Club has long supported the falconry community by offering comprehensive services for participants.

This includes assistance with transportation, accommodation, and official sales documentation, making it easier for both local and international falconers to participate in the event.

These efforts underscore the Club’s commitment to promoting falconry as both a sport and a cultural treasure of the Kingdom.

This year’s auction also embraced modern technology, with live broadcasts on television and social media platforms, allowing enthusiasts worldwide to experience the excitement of the bidding process in real time.

By combining tradition with innovation, the Club has expanded the reach of the auction and helped raise awareness of falconry’s historical, cultural, and economic importance.

Beyond the spectacle of high-stakes bidding, the auction serves as a platform for preserving Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage.

Falconry has been a cherished tradition in the Kingdom for centuries, and events like the Saudi Falcons Club Auction help inspire younger generations to learn about and participate in this noble sport.

By showcasing the skill, beauty, and value of these majestic birds, the auction strengthens the place of falconry in Saudi society.

The event is also recognized as one of the world’s largest specialized falcon auctions, reflecting the Kingdom’s leadership in this unique field.

By bringing together breeders, falconers, and enthusiasts, the auction encourages the adoption of international best practices among local farms, ensuring the quality and health of the birds.

It also creates investment opportunities in the falconry sector, enhancing the economic value for participants while promoting sustainable growth.

Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global hub for falconry is evident in the participation of buyers and sellers from around the world. This international interest highlights the Kingdom’s reputation as a center of excellence in breeding, training, and trading elite falcons.

It also reinforces the broader cultural and diplomatic value of falconry, which is closely tied to the Kingdom’s identity and traditions.

The Saudi Falcons Club continues to play a key role in safeguarding this heritage while fostering innovation, sportsmanship, and international collaboration.

Through auctions like this, the Kingdom ensures that falconry remains a vibrant, thriving tradition while also contributing to cultural tourism and global recognition.

This year’s event has once again demonstrated the enduring appeal of falconry, the remarkable value of Shaheen falcons, and the dedication of the Kingdom to preserving and promoting this centuries-old tradition.

The competitive bidding, high sales figures, and enthusiastic participation from falconers worldwide all testify to the success of the Saudi Falcons Club Auction.

By combining heritage, skill, and economic opportunity, the Saudi Falcons Club continues to secure the future of falconry in the Kingdom, ensuring that it remains a source of pride, passion, and prosperity for generations to come.