The Ethnosport Culture Festival runs from 19 to 28 November 2026 as part of Riyadh Season.
Sporting attractions include wrestling, equestrian competitions and the Kartal Team’s eagle-flight displays.
Families can explore traditional games, interactive workshops, children’s shows and the Ethnosport Museum.
Traditional sports, eagle displays and cultural performances await from 19 to 28 November.
Riyadh Season’s sporting calendar is taking a turn towards tradition. Running from 19 to 28 November 2026, the Ethnosport Culture Festival will unite heritage sports, live performances and family activities in the Saudi capital. Archery, falconry, wrestling and horsemanship all feature in a programme that explores how communities keep their sporting customs alive.
For those unversed, ethnosport refers to traditional sports and games rooted in the cultures and identities of the communities where they originated. Unlike modern sports, where winning is often the main focus, these activities are also about preserving heritage, passing down skills and keeping cultural traditions alive.
Live competitions are a major draw. Wrestling bouts will showcase the strength and technique of the participants, while equestrian contests will put riders’ skills and their horses’ speed in the spotlight. The Kartal Team will also present eagle-flight demonstrations, giving audiences a chance to watch these birds of prey in action. Together, the displays introduce visitors to different forms of traditional sport and the skills involved.
For families, the Children’s Stage will host interactive shows and entertainment created for younger audiences. There will also be opportunities to join in at the Traditional Game Areas, where visitors can learn the rules of heritage games and try playing them.
Meanwhile, the Ethnosport Museum will explore the origins of traditional sports through an interactive experience. Its focus on sporting equipment, history and associated crafts will give visitors a closer look at the objects and skills behind the competitions.
Craftsmanship has its own place in the programme, with artisans demonstrating weaving, metalwork and woodcraft. Visitors can watch pieces being made by hand and follow the processes involved.
Music and dance will extend the cultural programme beyond the sporting arenas. Ten international music groups will perform across five nights, while Kazakh music performances will centre on the sounds of the dombra. Folk dance troupes from Anatolia, Sicily, Kyrgyzstan, Africa and Bosnia will also perform, introducing audiences to movement and music drawn from a wide range of traditions.
Organised by the World Ethnosport Union, the Ethnosport Cultural Festival in Riyadh brings traditional sports and cultural experiences from around the world to Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Season will also sponsor the 2027 edition, which will take place in Istanbul, Türkiye, in May 2027.
When: 19 to 28 November 2026
Contact: https://riyadhseason.com