Saudi Falcon Auction Sees Record Prices as Trade Surges

In a large, well-furnished venue in Malham, just north of Riyadh, the International Falcon Breeders Auction is underway, drawing hundreds of buyers and sellers of elite hunting birds. The event has already recorded sales exceeding 1 million riyals in its first four days, part of a broader trend that saw auction revenue climb more than 60 % since 2023, hitting 13 million riyals last year with roughly 1,100 birds sold. A standout transaction this year involved a gyrfalcon, the largest species in the group, which commanded 380,000 riyals.

While Saudi nationals dominate the purchasing side, the birds and their owners travel in from Europe, North America and other locales. Proceeds from the auction are expected to sustain the sport, as the birds will compete in races that award a total of 50 million riyals in prize money. The growing financial stakes underscore falconry’s expanding role in Saudi Arabia’s sporting and economic landscape.