Dubai unveils ambitious plan to become world's top sporting city

Dubai has unveiled an ambitious Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033, setting a bold goal for the emirate to become the world’s top sporting city within the next decade.

The plan aims to boost Dubai’s sports economy, expand community participation and nurture local talent through 19 programmes and 75 initiatives.

It targets raising the sector’s contribution to GDP to over AED 18 billion and increasing the number of residents actively involved in sports to 2.6 million by 2033.

The strategy was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, during an event at Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex

He said the plan reflects Dubai’s commitment to building a dynamic, innovative and world-class sports ecosystem.

It includes 75 initiatives across four pillars—Community, Events, Clubs, and Talent — covering priority sports from padel and esports to cricket and golf.

Sheikh Mansoor also unveiled Dubai’s new sports identity — a symbol of the city’s global sporting ambitions.

Chosen from thousands of public submissions by designers and creatives, the new emblem represents the beginning of a new chapter for sport in Dubai.

Mansoor bin Mohammed: In the next phase, our focus will be on empowering both public and private clubs to reach international standards, expanding community participation and developing world-class facilities and infrastructure that reflect Dubai’s ambition and capability. Our… pic.twitter.com/uyUAZkFkFE

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 13, 2025