International Falcon Auction in Riyadh Attracts European Breeders
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, August 16, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — A growing number of European falcon breeders are participating in the 2026 International Falcon Breeders Auction in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, underscoring the event’s increasing significance as a worldwide trade hub that connects producers, falconers, and buyers with Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf region.
This year’s participants include breeders from France, Austria, Britain, Germany, and Slovakia, along with representatives from other European nations. According to event organizers, this international involvement expands the variety of falcons available to purchasers and enhances direct connections between European breeders and Gulf markets.
Sandra Baum, proprietor of France-based SB Falcons, urged falcon enthusiasts and those interested in cultural experiences to visit the auction, noting that Saudi Arabia had become a global destination for falconry through its blend of organization, hospitality, and traditional heritage.
The appeal and magnitude of the Saudi market, along with the chance to access a wide audience of falconers and buyers, are drawing European breeders to the event.
The auction is also tied to competitions run by the National Center for Falcons. All juvenile-category rounds in the Al-Melwah racing competitions have been allocated exclusively to falcons sold through the auction, which adds competitive value to purchased birds and provides an extra incentive for breeders to participate.
Henrique Cania, a Portuguese breeder who owns one of the participating farms, stated that achieving success at the auction depended on raising high-quality falcons. He emphasized that breeding quality is not solely a matter of preparation, mentioning that his farm has focused on strong gyrfalcon and peregrine bloodlines—including Canadian, Finnish, and Scottish lines—since establishing its breeding center approximately ten years ago.
Ali Mughal, an Austrian falconer and owner of Valley Club Falcon, said a positive experience at last year’s event led him to bring 100 falcons to this year’s auction. He remarked that the event has continued to evolve and has become a secure and dependable marketplace for selling captive-bred falcons.
The increased European involvement comes as the auction aims to solidify Riyadh’s status as an international hub for captive-bred falcons.
In 2025, the auction achieved sales exceeding 13 million Saudi riyals ($3.5 million), with 1,103 falcons sold by 67 farms from 23 countries. More than 20,000 individuals attended the event, figures that organizers say highlight its expanding global presence.
The 2026 auction is scheduled from August 5 to 25 at the National Center for Falcons headquarters in Malham, located north of Riyadh.
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