Four falcons were sold for a combined SAR 203,250 on the fourth night of the International Auction Platform for Falcon Production Farms 2026, organized by the National Center for Falcons at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh. The event, which continues until 25 August 2026, brings together leading falcon production farms from around the world and attracted a strong turnout of falconers and heritage enthusiasts.
Context and Background
Falconry holds a deeply rooted place in Saudi culture, and the Kingdom has steadily built modern institutions to protect and develop the tradition. The National Center for Falcons, a specialized Saudi authority, organizes the annual auction platform as part of a broader effort to regulate and modernize the sector while preserving its heritage character. Falconry is internationally recognized as intangible cultural heritage, and Saudi Arabia has been a leading voice in safeguarding related practices.
The auction is designed to serve as a trusted and unique international destination for elite falcons, connecting Saudi falconers and producers with breeders from across the globe. Rather than a traditional market, it functions as a fast, transparent and competitive live auction, giving buyers direct access to high-quality birds from established farms abroad.
Key Details
The fourth night opened with a pure Gyr chick from a Slovenian farm. Bidding on the bird began at SAR 50,000 and it ultimately sold for SAR 135,000, the highest price recorded during the evening.
A second falcon, a Shaheen chick from a Portuguese farm, was then presented and sold for SAR 21,000. It was followed by a Mathlouth Gyr chick from a Canadian farm, which changed hands for SAR 17,250.
The night concluded with a fourth bird, another Shaheen chick from a Portuguese farm, which was awarded to its new owner for SAR 30,000. Together, the four sales totaled SAR 203,250, reflecting sustained demand for premium falcons at the platform.
Organizers noted that the event is broadcast across television channels covering the occasion and streamed live through the National Center for Falcons’ official social media accounts, allowing audiences in the Kingdom and abroad to follow the bidding in real time.
Implications and Impact
The participation of farms from Slovenia, Portugal and Canada underscores the platform’s international reach and its role in linking global breeders with Saudi and regional buyers. By standardizing the auction process, the event offers producers a reliable channel to reach a specialized market and gives falconers confidence in the quality and provenance of the birds on offer.
The auction also supports the wider heritage economy around falconry, including related equipment, veterinary services, training and tourism. Riyadh’s position as a host city for such specialized international gatherings reinforces its growing profile as a destination for cultural and niche commercial events, drawing visitors with a specific interest in this field.
For international audiences, the consistent scheduling of the auction signals Saudi Arabia’s commitment to turning a traditional pursuit into a well-organized, globally connected activity that respects its origins while embracing modern standards.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The auction reflects the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to preserve the Kingdom’s cultural heritage while diversifying the economy and enhancing quality of life. By institutionalizing falconry through a national center and an international auction platform, Saudi Arabia is simultaneously protecting a valued tradition, creating economic opportunities and strengthening cultural exchange with partners worldwide. The 2026 edition, running through 25 August in Malham, demonstrates how heritage and modernization can advance together as part of the Kingdom’s long-term vision.
20 Questions
Q1. What event took place on the fourth night of the International Falcon Production Farms Auction 2026?
A1. Four falcons were sold for a combined total of SAR 203,250 during the fourth night of the platform, which is organized by the National Center for Falcons at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, and continues until 25 August 2026.
Q2. Which Saudi organization organizes the International Falcon Production Farms Auction?
A2. The event is organized by the National Center for Falcons, a specialized Saudi authority dedicated to regulating, developing and sustaining the Kingdom’s falconry sector while preserving its cultural heritage.
Q3. Where is the auction being held?
A3. The auction is held at the headquarters of the National Center for Falcons in Malham, located north of Riyadh, the Saudi capital, in a dedicated venue that hosts falconers, producers and visitors.
Q4. How long will the 2026 auction platform continue?
A4. The platform continues until 25 August 2026, with nightly sessions presenting falcons from participating farms and drawing falconers and heritage enthusiasts from the Kingdom and abroad.
Q5. How many falcons were sold on the fourth night, and for what total amount?
A5. Four falcons were sold on the fourth night for a combined total of SAR 203,250, reflecting steady demand for premium birds at the international auction platform.
Q6. What was the first falcon sold on the fourth night?
A6. The first falcon was a pure Gyr chick from a Slovenian farm. Bidding opened at SAR 50,000 and the bird ultimately sold for SAR 135,000, the highest price of the evening.
Q7. What was the second falcon offered on the fourth night?
A7. The second falcon was a Shaheen chick from a Portuguese farm, which was presented after the opening sale and sold to its new owner for SAR 21,000.
Q8. What was the third falcon sold, and where did it come from?
A8. The third falcon was a Mathlouth Gyr chick from a Canadian farm. It was offered during the evening session and sold for SAR 17,250.
Q9. What was the fourth and final falcon sold on the night?
A9. The evening closed with a Shaheen chick from a Portuguese farm, which was awarded to its new owner for SAR 30,000, completing the night’s four sales.
Q10. Which falcon fetched the highest price on the fourth night?
A10. The pure Gyr chick from the Slovenian farm achieved the highest price at SAR 135,000, after bidding on the bird opened at SAR 50,000 earlier in the session.
Q11. Which countries’ farms participated on the fourth night?
A11. Farms from Slovenia, Portugal and Canada presented falcons during the fourth night, reflecting the auction platform’s international character and its role in connecting global breeders with Saudi buyers.
Q12. How can audiences follow the auction’s activities?
A12. The auction is broadcast through television channels covering the event and streamed live on the National Center for Falcons’ official social media accounts, allowing audiences in the Kingdom and worldwide to follow the bidding.
Q13. What is the main purpose of the international auction platform?
A13. The platform provides a trusted, unique international destination for elite falcons, running a fast and competitive live auction that brings together Saudi and international falconers and producers under one organized system.
Q14. Why is falconry culturally important in Saudi Arabia?
A14. Falconry is a deeply rooted part of Saudi heritage and identity, practiced across generations. It is internationally recognized as intangible cultural heritage, and the Kingdom supports its preservation through dedicated national institutions.
Q15. What types of falcons were sold on the fourth night?
A15. The night featured Gyr falcons, including a pure Gyr chick and a Mathlouth Gyr chick, alongside two Shaheen chicks, representing some of the most sought-after breeds among falconers.
Q16. Who attends the auction platform?
A16. The event draws falconers, breeders, producers and visitors interested in this heritage, with notable attendance from across Saudi Arabia and a number of international participants representing leading production farms.
Q17. Why is the auction significant internationally?
A17. It connects Saudi and global falcon producers through a structured, transparent auction, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for falconry and strengthening cultural and commercial ties with participating countries.
Q18. How does the auction support the Saudi economy?
A18. The auction supports the heritage-related economy, including trade in falcons, equipment, veterinary services and training, while attracting visitors and generating activity around specialized cultural events in Riyadh.
Q19. What does the auction reflect about Saudi Arabia’s approach to heritage?
A19. It reflects a balanced approach that preserves a traditional pursuit while modernizing it through national institutions, standardized auctions and international participation, aligning heritage with contemporary organization and global engagement.
Q20. How does the auction align with Saudi Vision 2030?
A20. The auction advances Vision 2030 by protecting cultural heritage, diversifying economic activity, improving quality of life and strengthening international cultural exchange, showing how tradition and modernization can progress together in the Kingdom.
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