Dubai is accelerating its ambitions to become one of the world’s top sporting destinations, unveiling a long-term strategy designed to significantly boost economic impact, increase community participation and attract more global sporting events over the next decade.
Under the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033, the emirate aims to grow the sports industry’s contribution to the economy from Dh10.17 billion to Dh18.3 billion by 2033, reinforcing sport as a key pillar of Dubai’s economic and social development agenda.
The strategy also sets ambitious participation targets, with the number of people actively engaged in sports expected to rise from 1.6 million to 2.6 million. Annual attendance at major sporting events is projected to surge from 1.67 million to more than 4.1 million spectators during the same period.
The announcement was made during a strategic industry gathering organised by the Dubai Sports Council, which brought together sports event organisers, facility operators and industry leaders to discuss future opportunities and challenges shaping the emirate’s sporting landscape.
Hosted in collaboration with JA Sports & Shooting Club at JA The Resort, the meeting also included an exclusive preview of the region’s newest integrated multi-sport destination ahead of its public launch.
Dubai already hosts more than 500 sporting events annually, including over 100 international championships, highlighting its growing reputation as a preferred destination for elite competitions and global sporting experiences.
Officials outlined how the Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 will build on this momentum through continued investment in world-class infrastructure, stronger partnerships with the private sector and initiatives designed to encourage wider community engagement in sport.
Speaking during the session, Essa Sharif, Director of the Sports Events Department at the Dubai Sports Council, noted that sporting events have evolved beyond competition to become powerful drivers of economic growth, quality of life and international visibility for the emirate.
The strategy also places a strong focus on nurturing future talent across sports such as football, golf, padel and badminton, while creating pathways for young athletes to progress professionally and compete at higher levels.
As Dubai continues to invest in sporting infrastructure and international events, the Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 is expected to play a central role in shaping the emirate’s ambition to become the world’s leading sporting city by the end of the decade.
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