In a historic move reflecting the rapid development of the cultural and heritage sector in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Falcons Club officially announced the introduction of a "Women's Race" within the Al-Malwah (400-meter lure) competition at the upcoming King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2025. The global event is scheduled to take place at its permanent headquarters in Malham (north of Riyadh) from December 25th to January 10th, 2026.
Women's empowerment in folklore
This strategic decision aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to empower women in various fields, including sports and culture. Through this initiative, the club seeks to enhance the presence of Saudi women in the falconry tradition, a rich heritage deeply rooted in the history of the Arabian Peninsula for centuries. The festival not only allocated a separate round for women but also opened the field for them to participate in the general rounds, thus raising the level of competition and highlighting the competence of Saudi female falconers and their ability to excel in open arenas.
Huge prizes and a globally competitive environment
The festival organizers were keen to create a stimulating environment for all categories, allocating a total of 100,000 riyals in cash prizes for the special categories, including "Future Falconer," "Women," and "Schools." These prizes aim to encourage young people, women, and students to engage in this authentic hobby, ensuring its continuity and transmission to future generations.
As for the general competitions, the festival has allocated astronomical prize money, with the total prizes for the "Al-Malwah" and "Al-Mazayin" competitions exceeding 38 million riyals, to be distributed across 1,012 prizes. The competitions will continue for 17 days, making it one of the largest tournaments of its kind in the world in terms of prize value and the number of participants.
International standing and record-breaking achievements
The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival has gained significant international importance, successfully establishing the Kingdom as a leading global destination for falcons and falconers. The festival has already entered the Guinness World Records three times, registering itself as the largest gathering of falcons in the world. The current edition features a select group of professional falconers from within the Kingdom and abroad, further solidifying the Kingdom's role as a global center for preserving and developing this intangible cultural heritage according to the highest organizational standards.
