Sports and recreation
This page provides information on the traditional and modern sports of the UAE. It also throws light on governmental efforts to promote the uptake of sports and improve results in that field.
The UAE’s Sports law
Federal Law No. 4 of 2023 Concerning Sports (the Sports law), establishes the regulatory framework for sports and sports infrastructure in the UAE. This law unifies and aligns the objectives for the development of the sports sector, at both the federal and local levels. It promotes greater sports participation throughout the society and strengthens the capacity of competent authorities to offer accessible sports and physical activities.
The law targets three key segments, as follows:
- Community sports players - The law encourages individuals from all sections of society to engage in physical and sporting activities. Its objective is to raise the participation rate of individuals in diverse sports to 71 per cent, in line with the National Sports Strategy 2031.
- Competitive sports players – The law aims to assist sports entities in achieving sports excellence on a local and global scale by promoting competition and the discovery of talent
- People of determination - The law promotes the participation of people of determination in physical and sporting activities within clubs, schools and workplaces. It allows them to form national teams to participate in major sporting events.
Highlights of the Sports law
The law provides a guidance on distinguishing between sports that are pursued as a hobby and those that are pursued as a profession. In addition, it:
- outlines the activities that require approval from Ministry of Sports
- regulates international coordination with Ministry of Sports
- addresses issues related to the international participation of various sports entities and their registration with foreign sports organisations
- permits sports federations to form partnerships with national and foreign sporting and non-sporting institutions within and outside the UAE
- incorporates the Special Olympics UAE and the UAE Hearing Impairment Committee to represent the nation in regional and international competitions.
Refer to Ministry of Sports for more information.
Sports in the UAE
Since the formation of the UAE in 1971, the political leadership has given every attention to the growth, welfare and institutionalisation of sport sector in view of the significant role it plays in the development and advancement of the nation. Establishing and maintaining sports clubs is under the scope of social development services.
The UAE is keen on providing the necessary support for sports in the country, through the construction of many modern sports facilities such as football (soccer) stadiums, car-racing tracks, golf courses and training centres throughout the country, to serve professionals and beginners.
Sports and Vision 2071
The fourth pillar of the UAE Vision 2071 prioritises the quality of sports, recognizing its role in fostering a harmonious and cohesive society while instilling a sense of pride and patriotism within the country. Sports play a major role in cultivating the skills of the next generation, enabling them to represent the UAE on international platforms.
Participation in competitions open for all residents
In April 2018, the UAE Government approved a federal law which allows all UAE residents, regardless of their nationalities, to participate in national sports competitions held in the country. The law applies to children of Emirati mothers, UAE passport holders and all those born in the UAE along with residents of all nationalities.
The move aims to promote sports in the UAE and widen the base of talented participants in various sports. It also seeks to instill the value of loyalty to UAE and the government agenda of integrating all segments of society in a peaceful co-existence.
Traditional sports
Traditionally, the Emiratis engaged in falconry and racing horses, camels, salukis and dhows as a way of survival. However, with changing times and laws these activities are now practised purely as a regulated sport.
Falconry
At the end of the annual hunting season, falcons undergo medical check-ups at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital and only the healthy birds are let into the wild. Others are treated at the hospital. Each falcon is micro-chipped for identification and protection.
Equestrian sports
Equestrian sports in the UAE include endurance, show jumping, eventing, dressage and racing. The late H. H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan started endurance rides in the UAE. Even today, several members of the royal families in the UAE passionately pursue equestrian sports.
Both H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his son H. H. Sheikh Hamdan are exceptionally gifted endurance riders and have won several international endurance rides. H. H. Sheikh Mohammed owns the Godolphin stable in Dubai and runs Darley, the global thoroughbred breeding operation from the United Kingdom.
Camel racing
Camel racing was mainly staged to mark important social occasions such as wedding ceremonies, community festivals or the visits of Sheikhs to Bedouin villages. Today, it is an organised sport involving valuable prizes and cash awards worth millions of Dirhams.
The local breed - Mahaliyat, the Omani breed - Omaniyat, the Sudanese camels - Sudaniyat and the interbred - Muhajanat are the main breeds used in the racing competitions.
Bull-fighting
Bull-fighting still takes place in the emirate of Fujairah. It is a weekly activity practised during the cooler months.
Modern sports
The modern era brought several sports to the UAE such as football, golf, polo, tennis, rugby, sailing, yacht and motor racing. Emiratis are zealous fans of football.
Recreational and adventure activities
Popular recreational and adventure activities include sky diving, golfing, desert safari, dune buggy riding, cycling, land sailing, quad biking, dune bashing, sandboarding, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, ice-skating and snow skiing.
Sports events
The UAE regularly hosts championships, which involve renowned international players, big rewards and huge public following. Some of the major championships include UAE Pro League, Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, Dubai Desert Classic, Dubai Tennis Championships, Rugby Sevens and Dubai World Cup.
The UAE is the host for several international cricket tournaments.
Dubai holds the annual Dubai Marathon which attracts thousands of enthusiasts and professional runners. The prize money involves a few hundred thousand US dollars.
Some of the popular sports events in the other fields of sports are:
- Festival of Falconry
- Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition
- Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge for motorcars
- Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
- Volvo Ocean Race Abu Dhabi
- UAE Dragon Boat.
View the sports events in the calendar.
Sports infrastructure
Since the UAE hosts several major international tournaments, it provides the best of facilities in terms of cricket/football stadiums, equestrian clubs, tennis courts, racetracks and a circuit for Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Some of the facilities in the different fields of sports are:
Equestrian
- Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club
- Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club
- Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club
- Dubai Equestrian Club
- Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club
- Emirates Equestrian Centre
- Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club
Motor sports
- Dubai Autodrome
Marine sports
- Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club
- Dubai Marina Yacht Club
- Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
- Umm Al Quwain Marine Club
Golf
- Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
- Emirates Golf Club
- Meydan Golf
- The Address Montgomerie Dubai
- Yas Links
- Jumeirah Golf Estates
Skiing
Ice Skating
- Ice rink in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi
- Dubai ice rink, The Dubai Mall
Cricket
General
- Sports associations, federations, councils and clubs -Ministry of Sports
Free zones for promoting sports
The UAE Government has established free zone sports cities/complexes to promote the uptake of sports. The sports cities are mixed-use properties with sports clubs, stadiums, training academies, residential areas, commercial spaces, restaurants etc. The free zones for sports in the UAE are:
Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi offers practice facilities for basketball, billiards, football, paintball and more.
Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai has two swimming pools, each 50 metres long constructed with advanced technology of moveable floors enabling the swimming pools to be transformed into a pool that is 25 metres long with varying depth. Pools are maintained at a temperature of 27 degrees Celsius.
Hamdan Sports Complex has a stadium that can seat 15,000 spectators at the three-tier horseshoe-shaped seating bowl in the competition arena.
Outdoor lights in Hamdan Sports Complex are solar-powered.
Dubai International Stadium in Dubai Sports City can seat 25,000. Dubai Sports City offers practice facilities for football, golf, cricket and more.
- Dubai Motor City
Dubai Motor City comprises Dubai Autodrome and an F1 circuit.
Useful links:
- Sport activities in Ras Al Khaimah - Ras Al Khaimah government portal
