Falcon Racing Returns to Liwa Festival with Heritage Pride

Falcon Racing is set to begin tomorrow at the Liwa International Festival 2026, drawing skilled falconers and heritage lovers to one of the festival’s most anticipated competitions. The event reflects the deep bond between Emiratis and falconry, a tradition passed down through generations and still practiced with pride today.

Known for its cultural importance, Falcon Racing combines traditional methods with modern organisation. Advanced electronic timing systems will be used to ensure accuracy, while the sport itself relies on the falconer’s expertise in training, discipline, and the use of the traditional “Da’wa” call to guide falcons toward the finish line.

The competition will run over three days. On the first day, the Owners’ Category (Farakh) will take place, allowing each owner to enter up to four falcons, with one falcon competing in each heat. The races will feature Gyr Shaheen, Gyr Peregrine, Gyr Qarmoosha, and Gyr Taba’a categories.

The second day will be dedicated to the Professionals’ Category (Farakh), where experienced competitors are expected to deliver strong performances. The championship will conclude on the third day with the Jernas Category, which traditionally attracts high levels of competition and public attention.

All races will be held over a distance of 400 metres. Participants are required to arrive at the race venue by 7:00 a.m., with races starting at 8:00 a.m. To maintain fairness and safety, a maximum of 50 falcons will compete in each heat. Registration has already closed, and the draw for the heats has been completed as scheduled.

As part of the Liwa International Festival, Falcon Racing continues to stand out as a key heritage event, attracting strong public interest and helping keep the rich traditions of falconry alive for future generations.