Doha, Qatar: Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the eagerly anticipated 17th edition of the Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival, known as Marmi 2026, is set to begin on Thursday, January 1, and will run until January 24. The festival, supported by the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund "Daam," will take place at the Marmi Sabkha in Sealine.

Mutaib Al-Qahtani, Director of Championships at the Al-Qannas Association and Head of the Marmi Festival, announced that the Challenge competition will officially open the festival on the evening of January 1, 2026. 

This year, the focus is on young peregrine falcons in the first competition, which involves releasing a homing pigeon followed by a falcon. The falcon that successfully catches or corners the pigeon will be declared the winner, earning a prize of QR100,000 and a spot in the finals to compete for a Lexus car. The Hadad Al-Tahadi competition will feature 18 groups in this edition.