The wait is finally over. Registration for the twelfth edition of the Algarve Great Derby is officially open, and the global pigeon racing community is buzzing with excitement. In the world of One Loft Racing, this event stands for grit, survival, and pure genetic class. Portugal has firmly established itself as the global heart of this discipline, but what exactly makes this race in Moncarapacho so prestigious that fanciers from every corner of the earth send their absolute best bloodlines?
The Merciless Elements of Southern Portugal
Racing in the Algarve is no holiday for the birds. It is professional sport in its most punishing and demanding form. The pigeons face conditions here that simply do not exist in Northern Europe. During the summer training months, temperatures regularly soar past 40 degrees Celsius. The air is bone dry, putting an incredible strain on the respiratory systems of young athletes. This climate acts as a natural sieve that separates the average from the elite. Only birds with iron clad natural resistance and an unbreakable spirit make it through to the end.
Then there is the wind. The route from Northern Portugal back to the south is notorious. These athletes often battle a stiff headwind from the north or treacherous crosswinds blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean, threatening to push them off course. The terrain itself is just as demanding, ranging from the rolling hills of the north to the vast open plains of the Alentejo. There is nowhere to hide. Luck does not win here; success belongs to the pigeons that dare to fly solo and trust their internal compass implicitly.
Mastery in Moncarapacho
Behind this spectacle is a dedicated team that lives and breathes pigeon racing. The daily operations, coordination in the lofts and all administrative matters in the back office are managed by Henrique Silva. He is responsible for the day to day decision making, both operationally and in terms of the care and management of the pigeons.
In the lofts, Silva is supported by Loft Manager Gregory Cercas, who acts as his right hand and is directly involved in the daily care, observation and conditioning of the birds. Together, they monitor the condition of thousands of youngsters every single day and fine tune the training regime with precision and consistency.
At the Algarve Great Derby, fairness is the highest law. Every bird, whether it comes from a world famous breeding station or a small local loft, receives exactly the same feed, training structure and medical care. To ensure the safety and welfare of the birds, the capacity for the Summer Race 2026 is strictly limited to 3,000 pigeons.
Summer 2026: A Prize Pool Worth Chasing
For this twelfth edition, the organization has raised the bar once again. The Grand Finale is scheduled for October 2, 2026, and will challenge the pigeons with a grueling 500 kilometer flight back to the loft. Participants will be competing for a guaranteed prize pot of 150,000 Euros, based on 2,200 paid entries and adjusted proportionally according to the final number of paid entries.
What makes 2026 even more exciting is the introduction of an official Team Championship with its own cash prizes. Every team, regardless of size, automatically competes for this classification, which means everyone has a realistic shot. This inclusive approach is one of the strengths of the Algarve Great Derby.
According to the official prize table, the winner of the final race will take home 15,000 Euros, while the first Ace Pigeon and the winning team will pocket 3,000 Euros and 1,500 Euros respectively. Even for the shorter preliminary flights such as Race 1, 2, and 3, there are prizes of 500 Euros for each winner.
What truly sets the Algarve Great Derby apart is the depth of the prize distribution. With no fewer than 260 prize positions, the prize money is spread far wider than in most One Loft Races, where the bulk of the prize pool is concentrated at the very top. In Moncarapacho, consistency is rewarded, not just a single top result.
Entry Costs and Exclusive Deals
A standard team for the Algarve Great Derby Summer 2026 consists of 7 pigeons, including 4 active birds competing for all prizes and 3 reserve pigeons. The cost for a full team is 600 Euros, while individual entries are available at 150 Euros per pigeon.
The intake period runs from March 1 to May 31, 2026, followed by an activation race at 150 kilometers.
Several incentive options are available. From the second team onward, a 5 percent discount applies per team. For participants registering 5 teams, all pigeons including reserves are automatically activated for the prize pot at no additional cost. Those registering 10 teams receive one complete team free of charge, with all pigeons activated from the start.
For European fanciers, dedicated collection points are being arranged, including the Houten Pigeon Fair in the Netherlands on March 1 and 2, 2026.
The Path to Glory and ROI
Beyond the sporting challenge, the Algarve Great Derby also offers a clear economic upside. After the final race, all remaining pigeons are auctioned exclusively via GPLOFT, the official and sole auction partner of the race. As the breeder, you receive 35 percent of the final sale price of your pigeon.
For pigeons that perform strongly in the final or the Ace Pigeon rankings, this return can easily exceed the initial investment.
The race is officially affiliated with the FCI and the One Loft Racing World League. This means participating pigeons are eligible for World Best Pigeon rankings and qualification for the Olympiad.
Places are limited to 3,000 pigeons and demand is high. Those who want to test their genetics under the toughest possible conditions would be wise to secure their spot early.
Good luck to all participants. We will see you at the starting line in Portugal.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
Need more Info, Contact Henrique...
