The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2025, the world’s largest falconry gathering, launched at the Saudi Falcons Club headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh. The festival runs from December 25 to January 10, 2026, with wide participation from falconers from nine countries. The opening included six qualifying rounds for elite Saudi falconers, for the Pure Gyr (juvenile and mature), Gyr Hybrid (juvenile and mature), and Saker (juvenile and mature) categories. The festival will feature a total of 139 rounds, offering 1,012 prizes with a total value exceeding SAR 38 million, across two main competitions: Al Melwah, the 400-metre lure race, and Al Mazayen. Al Melwah includes categories for owners, amateurs, professionals, and elite falconers, with dedicated rounds for Saudi and international participants. Al Mazayen focuses on falcon aesthetics according to precise criteria and attracts falconers from different countries. Falconers from the Gulf Cooperation Council states are participating, alongside competitors from Italy, Ireland, and Syria. The festival continues to enhance its global presence after receiving three Guinness World Records as the world’s largest falconry festival in terms of participating falcons. Saudi Falcons Club spokesperson Waleed Al Taweel said the festival this year places great emphasis on passing the hobby to future generations, […]