Dubai Hosts an Exciting Sporting Calendar
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, has emphasized the role of Dubai as a year-round global hub for sports. With its bustling sporting calendar, the city has established itself as a preferred destination for athletes from all over the world.
The Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament: A Growing Tradition
On the eve of the 13th edition of the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, Sheikh Hamdan remarked on the significance of this event, which began in 2013. He noted that the tournament serves as a gathering point for both amateur and professional athletes of diverse nationalities. This year, the event is set to be the largest to date, with over 11,000 athletes competing in 11 different sports, further highlighting Dubai’s commitment to sports.
“With every major sporting event we host, we aim to instill a love for sports in our community,” Sheikh Hamdan added. He highlighted the importance of promoting sport among all segments of society, including families and children. This initiative aligns with the ‘Year of the Family,’ aiming to inspire both young and old to engage in physical activity.
A Tournament with a Track Record
The Dubai Sports Council organizes the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament, set to take place from February 18 to March 7, 2026, at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex. Since its inception, the tournament has drawn more than 60,000 athletes from various backgrounds, including professionals and individuals with special needs. Notably, it has awarded over AED 60.5 million in prize money, showcasing Dubai’s commitment to fostering a vibrant sports culture.
This event has transcended beyond just competitions; it’s become a yearly showcase that unites people from different walks of life, reinforces the idea of sports as a lifestyle, and positions Dubai firmly on the global sports map.
Surge in Participation Over the Years
The first tournament in 2013 attracted around 1,500 participants across five sports. The subsequent years saw remarkable growth, with participation numbers increasing significantly. By 2014, the event welcomed 3,000 athletes competing in six disciplines. This upward trend continued with 4,000 participants in the third edition, which included sports like futsal, volleyball, and cycling.
With each passing year, the scale of the tournament expanded. The fourth edition in 2016 had over 4,000 athletes engage in nine sports. The fifth edition in 2017 saw participation soar to 5,000, maintaining nine sports categories, but including more diverse events such as fencing and football for the deaf.
By 2018, the tournament boasted over 6,000 participants from a variety of sports, and in 2019, it achieved its largest turnout yet, featuring 7,000 athletes competing in multiple disciplines. The edition that year celebrated competitions across 13 sports, a clear indication of the event’s growing popularity.
Resilience and Growth Amidst Challenges
The tournament faced a setback in 2020 amid the global pandemic, prompting its suspension. However, the eighth edition successfully took place in 2021, bringing together 2,500 athletes competing in reduced categories due to ongoing restrictions. The tournament made a triumphant return in 2022, attracting more than 6,000 participants across various sporting events.
In its tenth edition in 2023, over 5,000 athletes from 103 different nationalities participated, showcasing a vibrant mix of sports, including wheelchair basketball and jiu-jitsu. The success didn’t stop there, as the 2024 edition recorded 7,149 athletes, and by 2025, nearly 8,000 athletes showcased their talents across 11 sports.
As the Nad Al Sheba Sports Tournament continues to grow, it stands as an exemplary model of resilience and community spirit in the sporting world, reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a key player in the global sports arena.
