Al-Milwah race kicks off at Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2026

The Al-Milwah falcon race kicks off today, Sunday, as part of the Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2026, organized by the National Center for Falcons at the Riyadh Exhibition and Conference Center in Malham, north of Riyadh. The event offers a program that brings together falconry, hunting, adventure, travel, and cultural experiences under the theme "A Destination for All."

This year's Al-Milwah race has expanded to include 12 heats, running from October 4 to 9, with two heats for each of the six falcon types. Each type will have one heat for owners and amateurs, and another for the elite and professionals. The categories include Al-Hur, Al-Shaheen, Pure Gyr, Triple Pure Gyr, Gyr Taba, and Gyr Shaheen falcons.

Competitions for the elite and professionals will begin on Sunday, October 4, with heats for Pure Gyr (juvenile) and Al-Shaheen (juvenile). On Monday, October 5, the Triple Pure Gyr (juvenile) and Al-Hur (juvenile) heats will take place, concluding on Tuesday, October 6, with the Gyr Shaheen (juvenile) and Gyr Taba (juvenile) heats.

Owners and amateurs will compete starting Wednesday, October 7, with heats for Pure Gyr (juvenile) and Al-Shaheen (juvenile). The competition continues on Thursday, October 8, with Triple Pure Gyr (juvenile) and Al-Hur (juvenile) heats, and concludes on Friday, October 9, with Gyr Shaheen (juvenile) and Gyr Taba (juvenile) heats.

Participation in the Al-Milwah race heats is limited to juvenile falcons purchased from the International Auction for Falcon Production Farms, as per the decision by the National Center for Falcons. This aims to boost the presence of farm-bred falcons in the competition.

The organization of 12 heats marks an expansion from last year, which featured six heats—one for each type. This year's total prize money is SAR 723,000, distributed among the top five winners in each heat, with six heats for owners and amateurs, and six for the elite and professionals.

Prizes for the owners and amateurs category total SAR 261,000, with first place in each heat receiving SAR 15,000, second SAR 10,000, third SAR 7,500, fourth SAR 6,000, and fifth SAR 5,000. The elite and professionals category offers SAR 462,000 in prizes, with SAR 25,000 for first place in each heat, SAR 20,000 for second, SAR 15,000 for third, SAR 10,000 for fourth, and SAR 7,000 for fifth.

The race is based on the falcon's speed and responsiveness, as it launches from the starting point, known as "Sanah," and covers a distance of 200 meters toward the finish line, "Milwah," reviving a traditional falconry practice in a competitive setting for exhibition visitors.