UAE Archives | Sports Tourism News

Spartan Race Al Ain Zoo 2026

Spartan is set to return to Al Ain Zoo in the UAE on Saturday 10 October 2026 for an action-packed day of obstacle racing. Bringing together elite athletes, experienced racers, first-time participants and families, the event will feature Spartan's Sprint and Super race formats, alongside Spartan Kids races, giving participants of all ages the opportunity to push their limits and experience the excitement of Spartan racing. The race lineup includes: The Spartan Sprint: A 5km course featuring 20 of Spartan's classic obstacles. A demanding test of speed, strength, endurance and technical skill. The Spartan Super: A more demanding 10km, 25-obstacle course that tests endurance, strength and mental resolve. Spartan Kids: Young Spartans can take on 1km, 1.5km and 3km courses in ...

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2026

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships return in 2026 and will once again run back-to-back, with the women’s WTA 1000 event from 15-21 February, followed by the ATP 500 men’s tournament from 23-28 February. In 2026, the championships will have one of the strongest WTA 1000 line-ups in its history, featuring all of the world’s top 20 players for the Women’s Week from 15-21 February. The 2026 field features a complete set of top-ranked stars, including 2025 champion Mirra Andreeva and Coco Gauff alongside Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, Madison Keys and Belinda Bencic. Salah Tahlak, Tournament Director and Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, said: “Women’s tennis continues to set new standards for competitiveness and quality. With the top ...

Dubai unveils ambitious playbook to become the world’s top sporting city by 2033

22Nov

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business & Industry

Dubai unveils ambitious playbook to become the world’s top sporting city by 2033

Dubai has set out a bold roadmap to become the world’s leading sporting city with the launch of the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 – an ambitious framework aimed at boosting the emirate’s global standing in elite competition, community sport and the fast-growing sports tourism sector. Unveiled by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the strategy outlines a comprehensive vision centred on competitiveness and sustainable industry growth, all while significantly expanding Dubai’s position as a magnet for international sporting events and visitors. At a launch ceremony held at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, Mansoor bin Mohammed affirmed that the plan “enhances the sector’s competitiveness, creates new opportunities, nur...

Globe Soccer Awards 2025 Dubai

The 16th edition of the BEYOND Developments GLOBE SOCCER Awards will take place on Sunday 28 December 2025 at the luxurious Atlantis The Royal hotel on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. This star-studded event will feature around 15 award categories, with final winners determined by a combination of fan votes and the GLOBE SOCCER Jury, made up of legendary names such as Marcello Lippi, Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas, and Luis Figo. Tommaso Bendoni, founder and CEO of GLOBE SOCCER, said: “We are delighted to welcome once again the world’s top football stars to Dubai for the BEYOND Developments GLOBE SOCCER Awards, this time at Atlantis The Royal. Dubai has been the host city for our event for 16 years, and the vision and ambition of the emirate’s leadership means it always provides an incredib...

GCC sports tourism to surge as PwC highlights growth opportunities

18Oct

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business & Industry, Sports Travel, Trends

GCC sports tourism to surge as PwC highlights growth opportunities

Forecast to surpass $2 trillion by 2030, the sports tourism sector is being propelled by mega-events, high-spending fans, active lifestyle movements and the rise of immersive, experience-led travel. But nowhere is this transformation more visible – or more strategically leveraged – than in the countries that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). According to “Game on for the GCC: Turning sporting ambition into lasting tourism impact”, a new report by PwC Middle East, the region has shifted beyond merely hosting world-class sporting events. It is now developing an integrated sports tourism economy – one that spans infrastructure investment, destination branding, digital innovation and year-round community engagement. From Saudi Arabia’s record-breaking Esports World Cup, Qatar’...

LEVEL UP Sports Tech Innovation Expo Dubai

LEVEL UP, a first-of-its-kind Sports Tech Innovation Expo created in partnership between the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and Global MICE Organisation Limited (GMOLx), will take place from 27-29 November 2025 at Dubai Harbour. Designed to convene more than 10,000 attendees from around the world, the expo will unite a powerful mix of athletes, sports federations, startups, investors, brands, innovators, media and celebrity personalities. The event aims to accelerate innovation, strengthen industry collaboration and reinforce Dubai’s global standing as a premier hub for sports, entertainment and technology. With the Middle East and Africa sports tech market projected to reach US$3.3 billion by 2030, Dubai offers a strategic gateway into this fast-growing sector. The emirate’s sports indu...

Men’s golf: Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026

The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is one of the most prestigious events on the international golfing calendar. Celebrating its 37th edition in 2026, the DP World Tour event promises an exciting week of world-class golf, featuring top players from around the globe. The tournament will be held from 22-25 January 2026 at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai. Reigning champion and European Ryder Cup star Tyrrell Hatton has confirmed that he will return to defend his title. He will tee it up in the event for the 11th time in his career and joins already announced reigning Masters Champion and career grand slam winner Rory McIlroy in the field for the first Rolex Series event of the 2026 Race to Dubai. Hatton secured the half point that sealed the win for Europe in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, as he ...

Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah Golf Estates to open in Dubai in 2030

5Oct

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business & Industry

Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah Golf Estates to open in Dubai in 2030

Hotel group Mandarin Oriental has announced that its first dedicated golf resort – Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah Golf Estates – will be located in Dubai, UAE. Opening in 2030 and featuring branded residences, the luxury golf and wellness resort will be the group’s third property in the city and uniquely positioned within Jumeirah Golf Estates’s next phase of development. When it opens its doors, the Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai will comprise 121 spacious rooms and suites. In addition, there will be 97 branded residences ranging from three- to six-bedroom villas, each with its own amenities and private access to a lounge, meeting space, pool and fitness areas. A highlight of the resort will be The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, presenting an extensive range of the group’s...

Phygital Games of the Future 2025 Abu Dhabi

From 18-23 December 2025, Abu Dhabi will host the Phygital Games of the Future (GOTF) – an international spectacle where the worlds of physical sport and digital gaming collide in the groundbreaking format known as phygital sports. Set to take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), GOTF 2025 promises to be a high-octane fusion of elite competition, cutting-edge tech, and global entertainment. Combining top-tier athleticism with elite gaming skills, this annual tournament attracts the best competitors from around the world to battle it out across multiple disciplines, all for a shot at glory and a multi-million-dollar prize fund. With a strong focus on innovation, inclusivity, and spectacle, GOTF is shaping the future of sport on a global stage. At the heart of GOT...

Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025

Registrations are now open for the ninth edition of the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC), a citywide community festival from 1-30 November 2025 which encourages participants to commit to 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days. Since its launch in 2017, DFC transforms the city into a vibrant fitness arena, inspiring more and more people to embrace healthier lifestyles through a free 30-day health and fitness activation unlike any other. Residents and visitors alike have embraced the initiative over the last eight editions, with 2.7 million participants joining the event in 2024, marking a 244% increase in participation since 2017. With each edition, DFC empowers individuals to discover what motivates them most, while uniting the city through a simple yet powerful message: 30 minutes of...

18Aug

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Guides

A guide to golf in Dubai

Dubai has firmly established itself as one of the world’s premier golf tourism destinations, attracting both seasoned professionals and enthusiastic amateurs to its sun-drenched fairways. What was once desert terrain has been transformed into a golfer’s paradise, where championship courses designed by legends of the game sit alongside cutting-edge entertainment venues and luxurious resorts. The city’s year-round warm climate, stunning skyline backdrops, and exceptional hospitality make it an irresistible choice for anyone looking to combine sport with leisure. At the heart of Dubai’s appeal is its role as a regular stop on the men’s DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour), with prestigious events such as the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and season-ending DP World Tour Championship drawi...

Sport in Dubai – a sports travel city guide

18Aug

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Guides

Sport in Dubai – a sports travel city guide

Dubai has rapidly evolved into one of the world’s most dynamic sports tourism destinations, attracting fans, athletes, and adventurers from every corner of the globe. From international tournaments that bring together the biggest names in sport to community festivals that celebrate fitness and wellbeing, the city offers an action-packed calendar of events throughout the year. Whether it’s watching the world’s best golfers compete in the DP World Tour Championship, witnessing the electric atmosphere of the Emirates Dubai 7s, or catching elite tennis stars at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the emirate delivers unforgettable sporting moments on a global stage. Yet Dubai’s appeal extends well beyond the stadiums and arenas. Blessed with a dramatic desert landscape, pristine coast...

Sport hotel in focus: Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments, Dubai

29Dec

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Trips & Experiences

Sport hotel in focus: Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments, Dubai

Dubai’s sports tourism credentials have been boosted with the opening of the Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments. Located in Dubai Sports City, the property is designed to cater to the unique needs of athletes and sports enthusiasts, offering comprehensive and unique training, nutrition, recovery, and relaxation services. Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments features eight penthouse apartments, 40 hotel apartments and 144 sports-themed hotel rooms which are equipped for in-room training, a unique offering that ensures athletes can maintain their routines and optimise performance without leaving the comfort of their accommodations. Hotel guests as well as other Dubai visitors can participate in free daily training sessions led by professional coaches. Surrounding the hotel ...

Horse racing: Dubai World Cup 2025

The Dubai World Cup, recognised worldwide as one of horse racing’s most prestigious events, will take place on Saturday 5 April 2025 and features a total prize purse of $30.5m. Hosted at the iconic Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, the 29th edition will be staged a week later than previous years, forming the culmination of a week of Eid Al Fitr celebrations across the UAE. A highly anticipated event on both the sporting and social calendars, the event combines top-tier racing with world-class entertainment, fashion, and hospitality. Sheikh Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Racing Club, said: “The Dubai World Cup is one of the best-established sporting and social events of the year in Dubai. This incredible race meeting has grown year on year, since its 1996 inception, and ...

Rugby sevens: Emirates Dubai 7s 2024

Kicking off Dubai’s 2024-2025 sports season, and taking place from 29 November to 1 December 2024, the Emirates Dubai 7s is the largest sports and entertainment event in the Middle East. Held at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai, the event attracts more than 80,000 attendees from 128 countries, and 6,000 participants across six sports. The 2024 edition will feature the opening leg of the HSBC SVNS 2024/2025 series played out on Pitch 1, alongside 33 invitational rugby, netball, cricket, fitness and padel tennis competitions in and amongst three stages of live music and a large, dedicated kids’ zone. Emirates Dubai 7s’ vibrant atmosphere promises something for everyone, making it a must-attend event for sports fans and families alike. British rapper Stormzy, the global award-winning artist,...

Sport hotels: F1 race weekend at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

2Nov

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Editor's Pick, Hotels & Resorts, Trips & Experiences

Sport hotels: F1 race weekend at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

Formula 1 fans can watch the 2024 season finale in style at W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island, the five-star hotel located within the Yas Marina Circuit. Taking place from 5-8 December 2024, the F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix could see the world championship go down to the wire and the hotel has several packages available to witness the events on the track. W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island promises a weekend filled with unparalleled excitement. With seven high-octane venues pulsing with energy, guests can look forward to a mega line-up of entertainment, featuring world-class artists and Yas Island's most thrilling parties and brunches. Those staying at the hotel during race weekend or attending the brunch will enjoy complimentary access to Yasalam's after-race concert of the day showca...

Sport Impact Summit 2024 Dubai

Scheduled to take place on 4-5 December 2024 at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, UAE, the Sport Impact Summit is aiming to bring together world-class athletes, sports organisations, sports teams, academics, the green finance community, and corporations in a bid to change the world through the power of sport. Global thought leaders, athletes, academics, and sustainability experts will gather to tackle pressing global challenges. And during the two-day summit, 1,500 attendees will gain valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration with like-minded individuals to positively impact the planet. The event promises a cutting-edge and action-focused agenda providing insightful keynotes, panel discussions and deep-dive workshops. It also offers an unrivalled collection of speaking talent...

Cricket: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, UAE

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be moved from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates. The event, scheduled to take place from 3-20 October, will now be staged in Dubai and Sharjah. Ten teams will play 23 matches, over 18 action-packed days, at two venues in the UAE, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, as the world’s best women’s teams battle it out for the ultimate prize in T20 cricket. Group A includes six-time champions Australia, along with India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, while Group B comprises Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies, and Scotland. Each team will compete in four group matches, scheduled across the two venues. Both venues will have the added ...

HIGHLANDER Adventure returns to Ras Al Khaimah in February 2025

11Aug

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events

HIGHLANDER Adventure returns to Ras Al Khaimah in February 2025

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has announced the return of HIGHLANDER Adventure, organised by HIGHLANDER, the world's largest international hiking association. Set to take place from 7-9 February 2025, this long-distance hiking challenge will offer hikers and adventure enthusiasts the chance to test themselves on the spectacular Jebel Jais mountain, home to the UAE's longest developed network of hiking trails at 80km. What makes this challenge even more memorable is the opportunity to hike through heritage and discover old Emirati settlements and active farms that will highlight the history and diversity of Ras Al Khaimah while showcasing how communities have lived and worked in this rocky region for centuries. Building on the success of previous years, the 202...