Portugal's pigeon racing community prepares for National Championship
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 11, 2026, 3:24 PM
Last updated Jun 11, 2026
The Tomar Pigeon Racing Club in Portugal is gearing up for the National Pigeon Racing Championship on June 13, following a recent major competition. The sport, known as columbofilia, faces challenges in attracting younger participants and is a major amateur sporting activity across the country. Pigeon racing enthusiasts emphasize the need to change public perceptions, as racing pigeons are viewed as pets and athletes rather than pests. The community continues to adapt amid rising costs and demographic changes, striving to preserve this longstanding tradition.
- •Tomar Pigeon Racing Club has 22 active members and 1,500 trained pigeons.
- •Portugal's pigeon racing network is one of the largest in Europe.
- •Competitors recently participated in the Portuguese National Long Distance Race.
- •Members train pigeons to navigate distances up to 800 miles.
- 3:24 PMYahoo Sports — Portugal’s pigeon racers keep centuries-old sport aloft
"In lofts across Portugal's countryside, racing pigeons are more than birds. They are athletes, valuable investments and members of the family.
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