International Pigeon Market 2026

Irma Kreutzfeldt

Management

Oliver Kreutzfeldt

Management

Hans Brühl

Editor-in-Chief

Call Website

General Contact

Event Office

What's on

Programme

Auction

Networking

Event days

11:00–11:00

Typical time

Saturday, Nov 28, 2026

Championsleague of the Pigeon Sport Auction

Auction

Sunday, Nov 29, 2026

11:00

International breeders' morning pint

Networking

Topic tracks

Industry ExhibitionAuctionsExpert LecturesPrivate Pigeon Sales

Co-located events

Deutsche Brieftaubenausstellung (DBA) – German Racing Pigeon Exhibition

Separate ticket

How the last edition performed

Previous edition

Current edition

2026 · 20,000 visitors · 300 exhibitors

Organisers expect more than 300 exhibitors across 26,000 sqm for the 37th edition. The 2026 fair returns to Kassel after the 2025 edition was held without live pigeons due to avian influenza. [5†L28]

Forecast — not final

Floor area (sqm)

26,000

Growth over time

New this edition

1
Return of Live Pigeons
After the 2025 edition was held without birds due to avian influenza, the 2026 fair is expected to resume normal operations with live pigeons on display, subject to veterinary approvals.
Source
2
37th Edition Milestone
The 2026 edition marks the 37th International Pigeon Market, continuing its legacy as the world's leading trade fair for racing pigeon sport and breeding.
Source

Testimonials

The International Pigeon Market in Kassel was a complete success for us at Röhnfried! The decision to combine the German Racing Pigeon Show (DBA) and the Pigeon Market into a single event proved to be absolutely right. The fair was characterized by a large number of visitors, exciting encounters and intensive discussions about the racing pigeon sport
Fenja Otte · Representative · Röhnfried · 2024

With an overwhelming flow of visitors and satisfied exhibitors, this trade and exhibition fair was again an absolute highlight
Götz Ziaja · 1st Chairman · Verband Deutscher Rassetaubenzüchter e.V · 2024

Even without a single bird in the halls, Pigeon Fair Kassel 2025 felt alive in every corner. With or without pigeons in the building, Pigeon Fair Kassel remains one of the beating hearts of international pigeon racing
Pigeon Boss · Industry Publisher · PigeonBoss.com · 2025

Next edition outlook

2026-11-28 – 2026-11-29

confirmed

The 37th International Pigeon Market & DBA 2026 is confirmed to return to Messe Kassel on 28–29 November 2026. Organisers expect more than 300 exhibitors across 26,000 m² of exhibition space. The 2026 edition is anticipated to resume normal operations with live pigeons present, subject to veterinary approvals, after the 2025 edition was held without birds due to avian influenza. The programme will include product exhibitions, live auctions including 'The Championsleague of the Pigeon Sport', expert lectures, the International Breeders' Meeting, and the traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest atmosphere.

Return of live pigeons to the exhibition halls after the 2025 bird ban Potential enhanced biosecurity and veterinary protocols in response to avian influenza concerns Continued integration of the DBA (German Racing Pigeon Exhibition) with over 2,000 pigeons on display

Impact

A bigger and stronger platform

The International Pigeon Market in Kassel is the world's leading trade fair for racing pigeon sport and breeding, attracting over 300 exhibitors and thousands of visitors annually across 26,000 m² of exhibition space. The 2024 edition marked the successful merger of the Pigeon Market with the German Racing Pigeon Exhibition (DBA), creating Europe's largest event of its kind. The 2025 edition demonstrated the fair's resilience, proceeding without live pigeons due to avian influenza while maintaining its core programme of exhibitions, auctions, and networking events. The event continues to serve as the primary global gathering point for fanciers, breeders, and industry suppliers, combining product exhibitions, live auctions of elite pigeons, expert lectures, and extensive networking opportunities.

Audience quality

High-value decision-makers

The fair attracts a dedicated international audience of racing pigeon professionals, breeders, and enthusiasts from across Europe and beyond. The 2024 edition was characterised by a 'large number of visitors, exciting encounters and intensive discussions about the racing pigeon sport'. Exhibitors reported 'overwhelming visitor numbers' and described the event as an 'absolute highlight'. The audience includes top breeders, industry suppliers, veterinarians, and serious hobbyists, creating a high-quality networking environment for business and knowledge exchange.

Exhibitor outcomes

Real business growth

Exhibitors consistently report strong returns from participation. Röhnfried described the 2024 edition as a 'complete success', citing high visitor traffic, intensive discussions, and successful product launches such as the Röhnfried Courier. The decision to combine the DBA and the Pigeon Market was praised as 'absolutely right' by exhibitors. The fair provides exhibitors with direct access to a concentrated, international buyer base, with opportunities for product demonstrations, lead generation, and brand visibility. The 2025 edition, despite the absence of pigeons, still maintained strong exhibitor participation, indicating sustained confidence in the event's ROI potential.

Intelligence

Market context

Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.

Global, with strong European core (Belgium, Netherlands, Germany) and rapidly growing Asian markets (China, Taiwan, Pakistan)

Why it matters

The International Pigeon Market in Kassel, held in conjunction with the Deutsche Brieftauben-Ausstellung (DBA), stands at the heart of the global racing pigeon industry. As the world's premier event of its kind, it offers a unique vantage point on the trends reshaping the sport: the influx of Asian capital, the rise of new powerhouse nations like Pakistan, and the technological transformation of breeding and racing. For buyers, it is the ultimate sourcing ground for elite bloodlines, cutting-edge equipment, and industry intelligence. For exhibitors, it provides direct access to a concentrated, international audience of serious buyers and decision-makers in a market where a single pigeon can sell for millions. The fair's resilience—proceeding even without live birds during the 2025 avian influenza crisis—underscores its role not just as a trade fair, but as the indispensable annual gathering for a global community navigating both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Global Market Exceeds USD 1 Billion

The global racing pigeon market, encompassing live bird trading, racing events, technology equipment, nutrition, and healthcare, is estimated to be worth between USD 1 and 1.5 billion. This positions pigeon racing as a highly capitalised niche market rather than a local hobby

Chinese Capital Reshapes Global Breeding Strategies

Chinese buyers have become the dominant force in international elite pigeon auctions, with their demand inversely shaping European breeding strategies. Over 400,000 fanciers in China participate in highly commercialised 'One-Loft Races' with prize pools reaching tens of millions of RMB. This capital influx has made China the 'ultimate proving ground' for testing pigeon quality

Pakistan Emerges as a Major Global Force

Following historic FCI recognition on 11 March 2026, Pakistan has officially entered the 'Champions League' of international pigeon racing. Pakistani buyers are now dominating auctions on PIPA, targeting elite European bloodlines such as Best Kittel, Porsche 911, and Jan Hooymans to cross with their own extreme-endurance local strains

Technology and Security Transform the Industry

With champion pigeons selling for over €1 million, the industry is professionalising rapidly. RFID, GPS tracking, 24-hour surveillance, and insurance are becoming standard, as pigeons are now treated as 'high-value mobile assets'- 21. However, data fragmentation and the lack of a unified, verifiable global database for bloodlines, race records, and health history remain structural bottlenecks

Pigeon Theft and the 'Pigeon Mafia'

The surge in prize money has led to a parallel rise in organised theft rings targeting elite breeding stock. In one high-profile case, a champion named Finn, valued at over $10 million as part of a collection, was stolen. Stolen pigeons are often used for black-market breeding, with offspring sold to collectors

Demographic Challenges in Traditional Markets

While the sport booms in Asia, traditional European and Australian markets face a decline in participation. Concerns about attracting younger generations are widespread, with clubs reporting falling membership-. The future of pigeon racing in these regions may depend on modernising the sport's image and embracing innovation

Market news

Latest updates from across the market.

2026-07-09

Canary Islands Parliament Backs Funding for Pigeon Racing Transport

Coalición Canaria's proposal to support pigeon racing transport costs and renew the island's transport fleet has been backed by the Parliament of the Canary Islands

2026-06-18

AviRings OLR Prize Fund Increased to €260,000

Following 3,214 paid entries, the organisers of the AviRings One-Loft Race increased the total prize fund from €213,000 to an impressive €260,000

2026-06-15

Large-Scale Pigeon Race Resumes in Guernsey

Hundreds of racing pigeons were released at L'Ancresse Bay in Guernsey for a large-scale race, which resumed in 2025 after new aviation safety procedures were approved

2026-06-11

Portugal's Pigeon Racers Battle to Keep Sport Alive

A report highlights the struggle to attract younger generations to pigeon racing in Portugal, with declining participation and an ageing demographic threatening the sport's long-term survival

2026-05-05

UK Withdraws Bid for 2028 FCI Olympiad

The Royal Pigeon Racing Association confirmed that the UK withdrew its bid to host the 2028 FCI Racing Pigeon Olympiad due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding UK–EU SPS agreements

2026-04-28

Chinese Tycoon Buys Pigeon for $1.8 Million

A report on the booming global pigeon racing market highlights a $1.8 million sale, the rise of the 'pigeon mafia', and the sport's transformation into a high-stakes industry

International Pigeon Racing & Trade Fair Circuit (2026–2027)

November 2026 – December 2027 (next 12–14 months)

The global pigeon racing calendar features a series of major trade fairs and competitive events across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Key fairs include the 39th International Racing Pigeon Fair in Dortmund (February 2026), Fugare in Kortrijk (February 2026), EXPOGołębie in Katowice (January 2026), and the National Pigeon Exhibition in Kielce (December 2026). The Kassel event (November 2026) is unique in its scale and its integration with the DBA, making it the year-end highlight for the industry

9–11 Jan 2026

EXPOGołębie – International Trade Fair of Racing Pigeons

Katowice, Poland

Held at the International Congress Centre (MCK)

6–8 Feb 2026

39th International Racing Pigeon Fair

Dortmund, Germany

Organised by the Association of German Pigeon Fanciers

14–15 Feb 2026

Fugare 2026 (International Fair for Pigeon Sport)

Kortrijk, Belgium

Held at Kortrijk Xpo, in combination with the KBDB National Days

10 Jun – 31 Aug 2026

Katara One Loft Race 2026

Doha, Qatar

Birds received between June and August 2026

1 Aug – 31 Oct 2026

Algarve Great Derby One Loft Race (Winter 2026)

Algarve, Portugal

Entries open August–October 2026; final scheduled for 1 May 2026

28–29 Nov 2026

International Pigeon Market & DBA

Kassel, Germany

37th edition, combined with the German Racing Pigeon Exhibition (DBA)

12–13 Dec 2026

National Pigeon Exhibition 2026

Kielce, Poland

Held at Targi Kielce Exhibition & Congress Centre