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 2025 King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival commenced at the Saudi Falcons Club’s Malham facility, located north of the capital, drawing wide attention from enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Recognized globally for its scale and organization, the festival has become a flagship cultural event reflecting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to preserving traditional practices while welcoming global participation.

Falconers from nine countries gathered in Riyadh for this year’s edition, representing Gulf Cooperation Council states alongside participants from Italy, Ireland, and Syria.

The presence of international competitors highlights the festival’s growing stature as a global platform for falconry excellence and cultural dialogue.

From its opening day, the event demonstrated remarkable energy with six qualifying heats conducted for local falconers across multiple competitive classifications.

These included Gyr Pure falcons in fledgling and passage stages, as well as Peregrine and Saker falcons competing in both Fledgling and Passage categories.

The competitions reflect the technical depth of the sport and the high standards upheld by the festival’s organizers.

Over the course of the event, participants will compete in an impressive 139 rounds, vying for 1,012 prizes valued at more than SR38 million.

This substantial prize pool reinforces the festival’s role in supporting falconry as both a cultural tradition and a professional sporting discipline.

The festival features two primary disciplines that define modern competitive falconry: the Milwah lure racing trials and the Mazayen beauty contests.

Milwah races are conducted over a 400-meter distance, testing speed, precision, and the bond between falcon and falconer.

These races are divided into four skill levels, including owners, amateurs, professionals, and elite competitors, ensuring fair and structured competition.

Separate divisions for Saudi and international falconers further enhance inclusivity and global representation.

The Mazayen beauty contests focus on detailed aesthetic criteria, celebrating the elegance, symmetry, and unique features of each bird.

Judging standards are exacting, reflecting centuries-old traditions combined with modern evaluation techniques.

The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival holds three Guinness World Records, officially recognizing it as the largest falconry event in the world based on bird participation.

This distinction underscores Saudi Arabia’s leadership in preserving and elevating falconry on the global cultural map.

Festival organizers have emphasized their commitment to nurturing younger generations and ensuring the continuity of falconry heritage.

Through education, competition, and international collaboration, the event seeks to inspire future falconers and deepen public appreciation for the sport.

As Riyadh continues to host major cultural and heritage events, the festival stands as a symbol of national pride, global openness, and respect for living traditions.

The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival not only celebrates the art of falconry but also reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role as a global hub for heritage-based cultural exchange.