World Sports Summit Dubai To Unite Global Sport Leaders And Communities

Dubai is preparing to host the World Sports Summit, a two-day gathering that brings leading international sports figures, investors and decision-makers together from 29 to 30 December at Madinat Jumeirah. Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the summit aims to explore how sport can support social development, community empowerment and future economic opportunities worldwide.

Organised by the Dubai Sports Council under the theme ‘Uniting the World Through Sport’, the World Sports Summit will feature more than 70 speakers, including current stars and retired legends. The event supports the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033, which focuses on hosting major events and strengthening Dubai’s status as a global hub for sport and sports-related investment.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said that Dubai believes in the positive role of sport in shaping a better future for societies worldwide. His Highness also reiterated his support for global initiatives and efforts that strengthen the role of sport at both individual and community levels.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan said: "Dubai welcomes guests and participants of the World Sports Summit, including global sports leaders, presidents of international federations and organisations, investors, decision-makers, and athletes from across disciplines, who will come together over two days to discuss the current state and future of sport worldwide and its role in developing societies and empowering communities."

"This first-of-its-kind sports summit, originating in the UAE, will bring together sports leaders, specialists and individuals with proven leadership and professional expertise from across the global sports sector. The summit will serve as a global platform for dialogue on sports development and for shaping its future through effective strategic initiatives, legislation and agreements," His Highness added.

He said: "Through the World Sports Summit, we aim to unify efforts and lay strong foundations for enhancing the role of sport in empowering communities, inspiring generations, and attracting and developing talent. We are committed to launching pioneering initiatives and bringing the world together in Dubai to strengthen international cooperation and help shape the future."

The first day of the World Sports Summit will include panel discussions and motivational sessions with sports officials and athletes. Proceedings will open with a speech by His Excellency Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council. This will be followed by an address from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, titled ‘The Next 90 Minutes’, which is expected to cover football’s future and its wider social impact.

World Sports Summit Dubai speakers and award programme

The list of prominent participants includes H.H. Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports in the Kingdom of Bahrain. International athletes attending include Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, MMA world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tunisian tennis champion Ons Jabeur, and Spanish tennis player Paula Badosa.

Other high-profile figures scheduled to attend are Nasser Al Khelaifi, President of Paris Saint-Germain, former Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch, Filipino boxing figure Manny Pacquiao, former boxer Oleksandr Usyk, Brazilian football legend Ronaldo Nazario, a two-time World Cup winner, and Italian football defender Paolo Maldini, along with several other names from different sports.

The summit will also host the ceremony for the 13th Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award, described as the largest in its field by prize value and number of categories. The award recognises leading sports personalities, officials and champions from the UAE, the wider Arab region and international markets, as well as regional and global organisations that have recorded significant sporting achievements.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award highlights both active athletes and those who have retired from competition. It honours current stars who continue to win titles and feature on podiums, and also those whose past performances influenced global sporting history. Their careers are presented as examples that motivate new generations of young athletes around the world.

Key dates and activities linked to the World Sports Summit in Dubai are outlined below.

Participants, speakers and invited guests have already started arriving ahead of the World Sports Summit, which begins on 29 December. The Organising Committee has arranged a schedule of entertainment and sporting activities, including padel competitions that attract athletes from different disciplines, along with other recreational sports and family-focused events, desert safari trips and visits to Dubai’s resorts.

The committee has planned activities for 28 December so guests can meet informally, experience Dubai’s sports infrastructure and visit tourism locations before official sessions start. A dedicated programme has also been prepared for stars who plan to spend the New Year period in Dubai with family members and friends, adding a social dimension to the summit’s formal sessions and awards.

With its broad agenda, high-level speakers and awards platform, the World Sports Summit in Dubai is positioned as a forum for discussing how sport can support communities, inspire future generations and encourage international cooperation. The event aligns with long-term strategies for the sports sector in Dubai while bringing global stakeholders together at the close of the year.

With inputs from WAM