01/06/2026
"Why Are Europeans Still Passionate About Pigeon Racing?"
On May 23, 2026, the prestigious Bourges I National Race officially kicked off in Belgium.
A total of 46,444 racing pigeons were entered in this single event:
🕊️ 22,975 old birds
🕊️ 23,469 yearlings
The pigeons were released from Bourges, France, and raced back to lofts across Belgium.
Many people assume pigeon racing is a fading tradition.
However, the numbers tell a different story.
Just one national race attracted more than 46,000 competitors, a scale that rivals or even exceeds the attendance of many professional sporting events.
What is even more interesting is that the number of yearlings exceeded the number of old birds this year. This suggests that new blood continues to enter the sport, with breeders actively investing in future generations of racing pigeons.
For many enthusiasts, Bourges I is more than just a race.
It is an important test of breeding quality, racing performance, and the future of the sport.
Perhaps pigeon racing is not disappearing at all.
Instead, it is evolving into a modern international industry—combining tradition, genetics, technology, and global competition.
Did You Know?
If all 46,444 pigeons were released at the same moment, the flock would stretch across the sky like a moving cloud—creating one of the most spectacular sights in the world of animal sports.
Have you ever seen thousands of pigeons released at once? 🌤️
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