The Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2025 opened in Riyadh with more than 1,300 exhibitors and brands from 45 countries, organisers said, highlighting the kingdom’s push to showcase a traditional sport and expand cultural tourism.
The event, run by the Saudi Falcons Club, will continue until Oct. 11 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, north of the capital. Organisers describe the show as the world’s largest of its kind and say it combines heritage programming with investment and tourism opportunities.
China has mounted one of the largest foreign presences this year. More than 50 Chinese companies are participating across 31 pavilions spanning about 3,000 square metre. The exhibition’s China section features desert farming technologies, modern hunting and camping equipment, drones, prefabricated structures, lighting systems and culinary offerings, alongside cultural presentations including handicrafts, pottery, calligraphy, fashion displays and folklore performances, according to the same report.
A business hub at the venue is aimed at connecting Saudi and Chinese firms to explore partnerships and localise expertise in falconry, hunting and related sectors. The focus on China comes as Riyadh and Beijing expand trade and investment ties while Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its economy and grow tourism under its Vision 2030 strategy.
Talal bin Abdulaziz AlShamaisi, chief executive of the Saudi Falcons Club, said the exhibition has become a global destination for falconers, hunters and enthusiasts, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s position as a hub for the sport.
The 2025 edition covers 28 specialised sectors and more than 23 family-focused events, organisers said. Attractions include a Mongolian Falcons Zone, the Saluqi Museum, displays tied to the UNESCO-listed Hima Najran heritage site, the Future Falconer Village and the Digital Shalail Museum. Exhibitions also feature a falconry fashion area, a classic car showcase and art by Saudi female artisans.
Visitors can attend falcon-calling shows and equestrian performances and try karting, off-road driving, camel rides, archery and shooting ranges. Workshops on desert farming, outdoor safety and traditional crafts, as well as panel discussions on falconry’s role in literature and trade, are included in the programme.
The annual Al-Melwah falcon race is scheduled from Oct. 5 to 10. Six categories will be contested, with 60 winners sharing prizes totalling 600,000 riyals, equivalent to about $160,000, organisers said.
The exhibition is backed by the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority, Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group and stc. The show draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, according to the organisers.
Falconry is a longstanding tradition across the Arabian Peninsula and has been recognised by UNESCO on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Saudi Arabia has used the event to promote conservation practices and regulated hunting, themes that align with broader environmental initiatives led by the kingdom.
Registration is free through the exhibition’s official website, and visiting hours run daily from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., organisers said.
