A centuries-old Bedouin tradition, falconry is a revered sport in the UAE, embodying both a rich cultural heritage and a sense of nobility. Originally, tribesmen harnessed the hunting prowess of these birds to provide for their communities. Today, falconry has evolved into a competitive sport and a cultural attraction, drawing tourists keen to witness this emblem of Emirati tradition. The pastime has also become a lucrative industry, with specialised falconry training schools established across the country and select thoroughbred falcons occasionally commanding prices in the millions. Read on to explore Abu Dhabi’s elite falconry scene.
A Brief History of Falconry in the UAE
Falconry holds in Emirati culture the same iconic status as bullfighting in Spain, sumo wrestling in Japan, and polo in Britain. A pursuit as old as the Roman Empire, Bedouin tribes have been practising this iconic ritual for more than 2,000 years.
Expert falconers would practice their craft for decades, building up an almost telepathic relationship with their bird, relying on cooperation, empathy and a degree of trust rarely seen in other human-animal relationships.
Over the centuries, Emirati falconers developed specialised breeding techniques and rearing methods, designed to engineer the most adept birds possible for hunting. Falconry is so ingrained in the culture that the country’s esteemed founder and Father of the Nation, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, thoroughly described the national pastime in his essential book on the topic: Falconry as a Sport – Our Arab Heritage.
Elite Falcons and Their Value
Despite it now being illegal to hunt wild birds in the Emirates, falconry is still a big part of local culture, and some birds have been known to fetch eye-watering prices at auction.
The main prey of the falcon in the UAE is the North African houbara bustard, which was previously part of the Bedouin diet. Other targets included stone curlews, sandgrouse, waterfowl and other desert-dwelling birds, but with the rapid urbanisation of the last few decades, this ecosystem was severely disrupted. This prompted the government to step in to protect these habitats.
These days, falcons are typically bred for races and for show, with some of the biggest races providing purses worth millions of dirhams. This means that the best birds can themselves fetch serious money at auction; in 2022, attendees at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition witnessed the most expensive falcon in the country’s history – an “Ultra-White” Pure Gyr (American) – change hands for an astonishing AED 1 million ($275 000).
While auctions don’t tend to reach these astronomical prices very often, it is relatively common for these iconic birds to fetch hundreds of thousands of dirhams at auction. The 2025 iteration of the meeting saw a rare white American Garmousha Pure sell for a cool Dh350,000, to Mr. Hassan Al Qubaisi from Qatar.
Prestigious Falcon Meetings
In the lucrative world of elite falconry, one of the most prestigious events is the Mohammed bin Rashid Falconry Cup, which boasts some of the biggest purses in the sport. With AED 23 million worth of prizes on offer at the 2025 event, competitors battled across numerous events, including the Sheikh’s Cup and the Open Cup, each offering AED 1 million to winners.
The Fazza Championship for Falconry – organised by the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre and sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – is another esteemed annual UAE event. The meeting attracts some of the country’s premier falconry clubs, with competing birds divided into Farkh (under one year of age) and Jirnas (over one year). In the past, the Fazza Championships have seen teams compete for prizes more than twice the value of the Mohammed bin Rashid Falconry Cup. The 2022 edition featured 177 competitions, with a prize pool of a staggering AED 47 million ($12.7 million). With this sort of money on offer, competition is always fierce, with only the very best falcons making an appearance.
Luxury Desert Experiences
While falconry in the UAE is often reserved for the native (and GCC) population, it is possible for those who have no experience in the game to take part through one of the country’s desert experience resorts.
Royal Shaheen Events is one of many falconry service companies based in Dubai, which offers a diverse range of falconry experiences. Designed to meet the needs of individual clients, Royal Shaheen allows guests to get up close and personal with their birds through the introductory falconry course, which teaches attendees how to train and care for their animals.
The corporate falconry course is designed for those who might want to entertain a client or employees, which includes informative and entertaining talks, as well as a flying demonstration designed to show off the incredible speed of the world’s fastest animal – the Peregrine Falcon.
The company also offers a ‘Static Display Package’, available for a wide range of occasions. A skilled falconer, dressed in traditional Arab attire, will present a falcon at your event – an elegant and authentic addition that evokes heritage while leaving a lasting impression on your guests.
The Royal Falconry Training & Nature Safari represents a private falconry adventure that takes you on a journey into the fascinating world of falcons and their cultural significance to Emirati heritage, while the cultural art of falconry is on display at the Bab Al Shams Rare Finds Desert Resort.
With a range of further exclusive desert experiences, the UAE is well-stocked for those who wish to learn and experience everything there is to know about the elite world of falconry.
Falcon Health and Wellbeing
For those with an eye on animal welfare, the UAE is at the forefront of falcon wellbeing. Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital offers a comprehensive range of veterinary healthcare services exclusively for falcons. Open since 1999, the facility is now one of the largest and most important falcon hospitals in the world, having treated more than 160,000 patients since opening its doors.
Spacious clinical examination rooms, advanced anaesthetic equipment, and specialised facilities for treating Avian Pox are just a few of the comprehensive services available. The centre also houses two state-of-the-art operating theatres, equipped with the latest technology for managing fractures and performing complex surgeries – each element meticulously designed to deliver the highest standard of care for these iconic Emirati birds.
Falconry in the UAE is more than simply a pastime; it is a display of heritage, artistry, and prestige. What was once a means of desert survival has evolved into one of the most exclusive pursuits in the world, where tradition meets refinement and the falcon itself becomes a symbol of status. For discerning individuals, whether as a cultural experience or as an investment opportunity, falconry offers a rare chance to truly connect with the region while partaking in a timeless pursuit.
