ADIHEX 2026 Reports Strong Attendance On Opening Day
ADIHEX 2026 Draws Big Opening Crowds
ADIHEX 2026 closed its opening day on 28 August 2026 with strong public attendance and extensive participation from local and international exhibitors and brands, organisers said, as the largest edition in the show's history got under way at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers' Club, the exhibition runs until 6 September 2026. Visitors on the opening day explored the latest products, technologies and services from participating companies and organisations across the hunting, equestrian sports, falconry and outdoor adventure sectors, alongside a diverse programme of heritage and cultural activities staged alongside the trade floor.
The opening day ran across 15 specialised sectors, including falconry, equestrian sports, camels, hunting rifles and equipment, hunting tourism and safari, outdoor leisure vehicles and equipment, arts and crafts, and the preservation of the environment and cultural heritage, highlighting the breadth of experiences on offer, with the Arena hosting the Arabian Saluki Show and family programming running in parallel across the exhibition halls on 28 August 2026.
Saluki Show Highlights Opening Day
The Arena staged several shows on opening day, among them the Arabian Saluki Show, which featured lure-coursing displays demonstrating the breed's traditional use in hunting alongside its speed, agility and instinctive hunting ability. The Arabian Saluki has featured in hunting traditions across the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Middle East for thousands of years, historically used by Bedouin communities to hunt game across the region's deserts and open landscapes, and its presence at ADIHEX continues the exhibition's practice of introducing younger generations to that history.
New to this year's programme, an African Drumming Band performance combined music, dance and acrobatics, featuring energetic choreography, powerful live percussion, striking traditional costumes and acrobatic stunts drawn from African cultural traditions. Family-focused activities and children's programmes also drew strong interest on opening day, with workshops, interactive experiences and heritage-themed sessions designed to introduce younger visitors to authentic Emirati traditions through engaging formats.
Knowledge Hub Tackles Camel Health
The national and international pavilions recorded high engagement from visitors, industry specialists and business leaders on opening day, organisers said, creating opportunities for networking, collaboration and new partnerships across sectors tied to hunting, equestrian sports and outdoor pursuits. The Knowledge Hub also returned to the programme, bringing together thought leaders, industry experts and specialists to discuss the latest trends, innovations and developments across hunting, falconry, equestrianism, sustainability, conservation and outdoor pursuits.
Among the opening day's Knowledge Hub sessions was one titled Blood-Borne Parasitic Diseases of the Dromedary Camel: A Case-Based Approach, Impact, Challenges and the Way Forward, which examined the effect of such diseases on camel performance, productivity and reproductive health. The session pointed to advanced diagnostics, specialised treatment and ongoing research as central to strengthening disease management and animal welfare, alongside the role of raising awareness and veterinary expertise in safeguarding camel populations over the long term. ADIHEX 2026 continues with a full programme of heritage, cultural and family activities, live demonstrations, interactive experiences and further specialised auctions through to its close on 6 September 2026.