Dubai World Sports Summit Kicks Off Today, Positioning the City at the Heart of Global Sports Leadership

Dubai, UAE — December 29, 2025 – The Dubai World Sports Summit officially kicks off today, bringing together an unprecedented gathering of global sports leaders, icons, decision-makers, and innovators for two days of high-level dialogue on the future of sport.

Hosted at Madinat Jumeirah from December 29–30, the Summit is organised by the Dubai Sports Council and held under the patronage and directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The event marks a major milestone in Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for sports leadership, innovation, and governance.

Held under the theme “Uniting the World Through Sports”, the Summit convenes more than 1,500 participants and over 70 speakers from across football, combat sports, athletics, tennis, basketball, motorsport, and global sports administration.

🌍 A Global Stage for Sport’s Biggest Voices

From day one, the Summit features an exceptional lineup of sporting legends and influential figures, including:

Ronaldo Nazário, Brazilian football great
Khabib Nurmagomedov, former undefeated UFC champion
Manny Pacquiao, boxing icon and multi-division world champion
Paolo Maldini, Italian football legend
Francesco Totti, AS Roma great
Andrés Iniesta, FIFA World Cup winner
Ons Jabeur, global tennis star and trailblazer for Arab sport

They are joined by senior executives, federation leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators shaping the modern sports ecosystem.

🧠 Shaping the Future of Global Sport

Across two packed days, the Dubai World Sports Summit will explore the most pressing and transformative themes in sport, including:

The future of sports governance and leadership
Innovation, technology, and AI in performance and fan engagement
Commercial growth and sustainability in global sport
Women’s empowerment and inclusion
Athlete welfare, legacy planning, and youth development
Sport’s role in diplomacy, culture, and global unity

Panels, keynote addresses, and interactive sessions aim to move beyond discussion toward practical collaboration and long-term impact, positioning the Summit as more than a traditional conference.

🏅 Celebrating Excellence and Global Impact

A central highlight of the Summit is the 13th Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award, recognising individuals, organisations, and initiatives that have made outstanding contributions to sport at local, regional, and international levels.

The award ceremony reinforces Dubai’s message that excellence in sport extends beyond competition — encompassing leadership, innovation, and social impact.

🚀 Dubai’s Growing Global Sports Vision

The launch of the World Sports Summit aligns with the Dubai Sports Sector Strategy 2033, reflecting the emirate’s long-term vision to influence global sport not only as a host of major events, but as a thought leader shaping policy, innovation, and international collaboration.

As the Summit begins today, Dubai positions itself at the centre of global sports dialogue — uniting legends of the past, leaders of the present, and architects of the future on one influential platform.

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