United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi serves as an irresistible draw to an increasing number of sports clubs, federations and organisations every year.

Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a host of stellar events across a wide variety of sports has attracted a broad range of international federations and sports governing bodies in recent years.

The combination of climate and accessibility means that the Emirate provides a convenient and attractive option for professional sports teams and individual athletes.

HE Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council explains how the Emirate’s continuing investment in a world class sports infrastructure serves the local population and the international community.

India’s Premier Futsal tournament will expand beyond its homeland for its second season, with a deal agreed for the finale to be held in Dubai.

The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) has awarded hosting rights for the 2017 Asian Youth Para Games to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The club crest of Real Madrid will be altered under a new retail partnership the Spanish LaLiga football club has signed for the Middle East market.

The United Arab Emirates will host the inaugural edition of a new Twenty20 cricket tournament later this month, the Emirates Cricket Board has announced.

Former WorldTour team Lampre-Merida is set to continue into the 2017 season after being granted a two-year licence by the International Cycling Union (UCI), however its backing has switched from a Chinese entity to a United Arab Emirates-based body.

The TCR International Series has added four new races to its calendar for the 2017 season, with Georgia set to stage a major motorsport event for the first time.

Abu Dhabi has been confirmed as the host city for the 2019 edition of the Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Dubai plays host to more than 400 events each year and has a track record of delivering some of the world’s most prestigious sports events. But the innovative emirate is constantly looking to the future and evolving its offering as a host to meet the changing demands of the world sports community.

The Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the global governing body of powerboating, has confirmed that its 2016 Class 1 World Championship will take place in Abu Dhabi.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly considering adding extra editions of its World Twenty20 national team tournament in 2018 and 2022 as a means to tap into the rapidly developing format of the sport.

Plans have been unveiled for a new AED3bn (€709.7m/$817m) stadium in Dubai, with the innovative facility set to be in contention for a prominent role in the United Arab Emirates’ staging of the 2019 Asian Cup national team football tournament.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has stripped hosting rights to its 2016 World Endurance Championship from the United Arab Emirates amid ongoing horse welfare concerns, and has opened a new bidding process for the event.