Camel Racing, Falconry and Gulf Heritage Sports — 2026-09-24
This week, Al Dhaid in Sharjah opens the fifth Al Asayl 2026 exhibition, Saudi clubs detail a busy October–November falconry calendar including expanded Muloah races and the National Falcon Center auction, and Abu Dhabi confirms the Sheikh Zayed Festival returns to Al Wathba on October 30 with 136 days of programming. Saudi heritage federations are also tying camel racing and falconry into National Day celebrations.
Camel Racing, Falconry and Gulf Heritage Sports — 2026-09-24
Top developments
Al Asayl 2026 exhibition opens today at Expo Al Dhaid
The fifth edition of Al Asayl 2026 kicks off at Expo Al Dhaid in Sharjah from September 24–27, featuring more than 80 exhibitors showcasing products and supplies for camel and heritage sports. The exhibition has become a key pre-season gathering point for UAE camel-racing stables ahead of the winter racing calendar.
Sheikh Zayed Festival confirms October 30 opening at Al Wathba
The Sheikh Zayed Festival returns to the Al Wathba grounds in Abu Dhabi on October 30, running for 136 days of heritage displays, sports, international pavilions and family activities. The festival is the anchor cultural event at Al Wathba, where camel races run alongside the program, making it a focal point for Gulf heritage sports enthusiasts this winter season.
King Abdulaziz Falcon Festival to feature dedicated rounds for Mongolian falcons
Organizers confirmed on September 22 that the King Abdulaziz Falcon Festival 2026 will feature three rounds for Mongolian falcons sold at the Saudi International Falcon and Hunting Exhibition — one Al-Milwah round and two Al-Mazayen rounds for the Farkh (juvenile) and Qarnas (adult) categories. The move integrates live auction sales directly into competition, letting local and international falconers race birds bought at the exhibition.
Muloah falcon races expanded to 12 rounds with SAR 723,000 in prizes
At the Saudi International Falcon and Hunting Exhibition 2026, the Muloah race competition has been expanded and will run 12 rounds from October 4–9 at the Riyadh International Exhibition Center, with prizes totaling SAR 723,000. The expansion signals growing investment in competitive falconry disciplines beyond beauty contests and auctions.
Saudi Camel Federation joins National Day celebrations with dedicated race
The Saudi Camel Federation's National Day Race (announced September 22) will feature four rounds — two 5-kilometer races for men and two 2-kilometer races for women — alongside camel-riding experiences and the Saudi Ardah for visitors. The programming highlights the growing inclusion of women's camel racing and public participation in federation events.
Local view
Arabic-language media is focused on the autumn falconry calendar. Al Arabiya reported (September 20) that the National Falcon Center's 2026 auction — dedicated to locally trapped (tarh) falcons — will run from early October through November 30, framed as supporting local supply and preserving heritage. Al Jazirah Online echoed the auction dates, calling it a key event for the tarh falcon trade. In the UAE, Gulf News ran a feature (September 22) profiling how Emirati falconry evolved from desert tradition to record-breaking auctions, noting prices start around Dh5,000 with type, characteristics and lineage driving the gap to million-dirham birds.
Context & numbers
- The expanded Muloah race competition carries SAR 723,000 in prizes across 12 rounds, October 4–9 in Riyadh.
- The National Falcon Center auction runs early October to November 30, dedicated to locally trapped falcons.
- The Sheikh Zayed Festival 2026/2027 runs 136 days from October 30 at Al Wathba.
- Baseline prices: falcons start around Dh5,000, but recent auction records at ADIHEX 2026 reached Dh2.1 million for an exceptionally rare bird.
- Al Asayl 2026 hosts more than 80 exhibitors over four days at Expo Al Dhaid.
On the radar
- Muloah races: October 4–9 at Riyadh International Exhibition Center — first competitive falconry highlight of the Saudi season.
- Sheikh Zayed Festival opening: October 30 at Al Wathba, with camel racing expected to feature once the season is underway.
- National Falcon Center auction: tarh-falcon sale running through November 30 — expect weekly price headlines against the 2026 record benchmarks.
- Al Shahaniya and Al Marmoom season fixtures: rumored in trade chatter but not yet confirmed in reporting this week — watch for official season calendars in coming weeks.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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