As the clock ticks down to midnight, the eyes of the Arab world and beyond are turning to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, where we are less than a week away from the launch of the region's biggest entertainment event, the Joy Awards 2026. The ceremony is scheduled to take place next Saturday evening, January 17th, at the ANB Arena, as part of the Riyadh Season events organized by the General Entertainment Authority. It will bring together a host of the brightest stars in art, sports, and influential content creators.
Global partnership and heritage-inspired design
In a move reflecting the festival's global stature, Caroline Scheufele, co-president and artistic director of the prestigious Swiss jewelry and watch house Chopard, revealed the intricate and inspiring details behind the design of this year's award trophy. This partnership, now in its second year, underscores the festival's commitment to delivering standards of luxury comparable to the world's leading events.
She explained that the shield's design was not accidental, but rather the result of an in-depth study of Saudi identity, with the falcon chosen as the central element of the award. The falcon holds profound historical and cultural significance in the Arabian Peninsula, symbolizing pride, strength, and foresight, as well as being a loyal companion to the Arab people throughout history.
70 hours of handcrafted work in Geneva
Regarding the technical aspects of manufacturing, the technical director of “Chopard” indicated that work on the design began last May, as the development of the prototypes took six full weeks to ensure the smooth movement of the falcon sculpture, to be a symbol of vitality, not stagnation, in line with the dynamic development that the Kingdom is witnessing.
Each shield is handcrafted in the Maison's workshops in Geneva, Switzerland, with each piece requiring approximately 70 hours of meticulous work. The trophies are plated with 18-karat gold, while the falcon's eyes are exquisitely carved from black onyx with a delicate yellow iris. The masterpiece rests on a base of polished brass with a finish that mimics the brilliance of diamonds.
Joy Awards: More than just an awards ceremony
The Joy Awards ceremony is more than just an awards event; it's a cultural and artistic phenomenon that reflects the soft power of Saudi Arabia and its growing influence on the regional and international entertainment scene. The ceremony is unique in that it relies entirely on public voting, giving the awards widespread popular credibility, as the public chooses the winners in the categories of film, drama, music, sports, and social influencers.
This event comes to crown the efforts of “Riyadh Season” in transforming the Saudi capital into a global destination for entertainment and culture, attracting the attention of global media and major celebrities, thus enhancing the cultural and economic movement in the region.
