Camel Racing, Falconry and Gulf Heritage Sports — 2026-10-22
The Al Dhafra region in Abu Dhabi launched the fourth edition of the Al Dhafra Camel Racing Festival, while Qatar concluded its 2026 Summer Camel Racing Festival with significant prize distributions. In Saudi Arabia, the National Center for Falcons reported record-breaking auction results and expanded regulatory frameworks to boost the falconry industry ahead of the upcoming King Abdulaziz Camel Festival.
Camel Racing, Falconry and Gulf Heritage Sports — 2026-10-22
Top developments
Al Dhafra Camel Racing Festival kicks off in Abu Dhabi
The fourth edition of the Al Dhafra Camel Racing Festival officially began on October 21, 2026, under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region. The festival features 104 races across various categories, marking a major milestone in the UAE’s seasonal racing calendar and drawing elite stables to the desert tracks. The event underscores the continued institutional support for heritage sports in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, serving as a key precursor to the winter racing season.
Qatar concludes Summer Camel Racing Festival
Qatar’s Summer Camel Racing Festival 2026 concluded on October 20, 2026, at the Al Shahanin racetrack, with the "Al Haqaiq" category (young camels) witnessing intense competition. The final days featured 18 races with prestigious symbols and substantial cash prizes, highlighting the depth of talent in the Qatari camel racing scene. The closing ceremony drew large crowds of enthusiasts and breeders, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a central hub for Gulf heritage sports.
Saudi Falcon Auctions Set New Records
The Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2026, which wrapped up in Riyadh in early October, delivered record-breaking auction results, including a young Mongolian Saker falcon selling for SAR 1.4 million (approx. USD 373,000). Recent reports from late October indicate that the National Center for Falcons is actively driving growth in the outdoor and heritage industry, leveraging these high-value transactions to professionalize the sector. These figures reflect a surging demand for rare breeds and a strategic push to integrate falconry into Saudi Arabia’s broader cultural tourism economy.
Liwa International Festival 2027 Announced
The Liwa International Festival 2027 has been confirmed to run from December 11, 2026, to January 2, 2027, at Tal Moreeb in Al Dhafra. The event will feature a debut Nitro Circus performance and a robust motorsport lineup alongside traditional heritage activities, aiming to attract global visitors to Abu Dhabi’s desert landscape. This announcement signals a shift towards blending extreme sports with traditional Gulf culture, targeting a younger demographic while maintaining the region's heritage roots.
Local view
Local Arabic media outlets such as Al Bayan and Rayah have focused heavily on the logistical scale and royal patronage of the ongoing festivals. Al Bayan emphasized the 104-race structure of the Al Dhafra festival, noting the high level of organization and the participation of prominent tribal stables. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Rayah reported on the emotional and competitive intensity of the "Al Haqaiq" category, highlighting the pride of local owners in breeding champions for the upcoming winter season.
Context & numbers
The Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2026 attracted 254 exhibitors from 20 countries and occupied a 197,000-square-meter area, showcasing the scale of the industry. The record sale of a falcon for SAR 1.4 million underscores the high valuation of rare heritage animals in the region. In Qatar, the Summer Festival featured 18 races with "symbols" (prestigious trophies) as prizes, a tradition that continues to drive high-stakes competition among breeders.
On the radar
- King Abdulaziz Camel Festival 2027: Preparations are underway for the next edition of the world’s largest camel festival in Riyadh, with registration and beauty contest (Mazayen) criteria expected to be updated soon.
- Qatar Winter Season: Following the summer finale, the Qatar Camel Racing Committee is expected to release the full calendar for the 2026–2027 winter season, which typically begins in November.
- Falconry Season Regulations: The Emirates Falconers’ Club continues to monitor the 2026–2027 falconry season, with strict regulations on hunting practices and bird registration likely to be reinforced in the coming months.
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