ADIHEX 2026, operating under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers’ Club, will expand to a 10-day format for the first time in the exhibition’s 23-year history. Running from August 28 to September 6 at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, the event is organized by ADNEC Group, a Modon company, in strategic partnership with the Emirates Falconers’ Club, and carries the theme “A Legacy of Pride.”
The scale of the 2026 edition is measurable. Participating companies and brands have grown by 17 percent to 2,405 entities representing 71 countries, with six nations joining for the first time. Exhibition space has expanded by the same margin, reaching 107,000 square metres compared to the 2025 edition. The number of participating falcon farms has risen by 20 percent to 55 farms, including nine new participants, and the exhibition will host eight falcon auctions, four before the event opens and four during the 10-day run.
His Excellency Majid Ali Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Emirates Falconers’ Club, framed the exhibition as part of an institutional commitment spanning 25 years. The club has positioned itself as a steward of falconry practices, heritage preservation, and environmental conservation while promoting Emirati identity internationally. Mansouri noted that the exhibition has evolved from a heritage-focused event into a global platform encompassing multiple lifestyle and sporting pursuits, welcoming millions of visitors since its 2003 launch.
By contrast with its origins, the 2026 edition carries an explicit social dimension. Mansouri emphasized that it coincides with the UAE’s Year of Family, providing an opportunity for families to engage with falconry and heritage traditions together. He credited the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan for supporting efforts to ensure these traditions remain “a living and evolving part of our society rather than merely a memory of the past.”
Humaid Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC Group, described the 2026 edition as reflecting “record growth across all key performance indicators,” pointing to the exhibition’s role in building partnerships, facilitating knowledge exchange, and showcasing innovations and sustainable practices across the hunting, equestrian, and heritage sectors.
The exhibition’s 15 participating sectors span falconry, hunting tourism and safari operations, veterinary products and services, environmental preservation and cultural heritage initiatives, hunting and shooting sports equipment, equestrian pursuits, arts and crafts, recreational vehicles and caravans, fishing equipment and marine sports, hunting and camping supplies, outdoor leisure vehicle equipment, and specialized sectors dedicated to camels, Arabian Saluki dogs, knives, and traditional souq experiences.
Supporting partners and sponsors include the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise and Development, ADCB Bank, and multiple specialized suppliers across hunting equipment, automotive accessories, and luxury goods. The exhibition runs daily from 10am to 10pm. Ticket information is available at www.adihex.com/en.
Whether the 10-day format becomes a permanent fixture, or a benchmark that future editions will be measured against, remains to be seen.