The Melwah Racing competition at the Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2026 will expand to 12 rounds, up from six last year, running from 4 to 9 October at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, north of Riyadh, with total prizes of SAR 723,000.
The new format allocates two rounds to each of six falcon breeds — Hur, Shaheen, Gyr Pure, Malthouth Gyr Pure, Gyr Tab'a and Gyr Shaheen — with one round reserved for amateurs and owners and the other for professionals and elite competitors, a structure that widens the field and lets falconers compete across distinct categories.
Participation is limited to chicks purchased at the International Auction for Falcon Production Farms, a condition set by the National Center for Falcons that ties the auction to a competitive track extending into the Melwah races and strengthens the presence of farm-bred birds in the competition.
Prizes are distributed among the top five finishers in each round. The six owner and amateur rounds carry SAR 261,000, with SAR 15,000 for first place, SAR 10,000 for second, SAR 7,500 for third, SAR 6,000 for fourth and SAR 5,000 for fifth. The six professional and elite rounds carry SAR 462,000, awarding SAR 25,000, SAR 20,000, SAR 15,000, SAR 10,000 and SAR 7,000 respectively.
Races unfold over six days and are decided by a falcon's speed and response, with birds released from the starting point known as Al-Sannah and flying 200 meters toward the finish line, the Melwah. The 2025 edition drew around 200 falconers across six rounds for chicks and crowned 60 winners with SAR 600,000 in total prizes.
According to the National Center for Falcons, organizing these competitions serves to preserve the falconry heritage, pass it to younger generations and give falconers room to practice and refine their skills. The exhibition itself runs from 1 to 10 October and offers a program of experiences tied to falconry, hunting, heritage, travel and adventure.