Under the Directives of Hamdan bin Mohammed.. "Global Sports Summit" Launches in Dubai Under the Theme "Uniting the World Through Sports"

The Dubai Sports Council announced the events of the "Global Sports Summit," which will be held under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, on December 29 and 30, 2025, in Jumeirah City, Dubai, under the theme "Uniting the World Through Sports."

The summit is considered the largest global gathering of its kind, bringing together a select group of senior sports decision-makers, experts, global stars, representatives of international sports federations and organizations, investors, and innovators on one platform for dialogue, exchanging visions, and anticipating the future of sports worldwide.

The summit will feature participation from more than 70 speakers, including elite leaders, stars, and legends of global sports who have left significant marks in their sports and humanitarian careers. Among them are His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al Falasi, His Excellency Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Ronaldo Nazário, Paolo Maldini, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Manny Pacquiao, Reggie Bush, Ons Jabeur, Nick Santonastasso, alongside other sports figures from various countries, enhancing the summit's status as a global platform that brings together expertise, excellence, and inspiring experiences.

During the press conference announcing the summit details, His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, affirmed that organizing the Global Sports Summit aligns with Dubai’s long-term vision to establish itself as a global center for leadership and innovation in the sports sector. He pointed out that sports have become a major driver of economic growth and a pivotal element in enhancing quality of life and building healthier, more cohesive communities.

Belhoul added that Dubai’s hosting of the inaugural summit aligns with the Dubai Sports Plan 2033, overseen by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council. The plan aims to enhance Dubai’s global leadership, establish its position among the top global cities attracting sports talents and major international sports events, and be the most supportive city for the sports sector in all its components. This embodies the deeply rooted philosophy in the UAE national identity, which views sports as a humanitarian message before being a competition, and that sports creativity is not limited to achievements and championships but also includes innovation, governance, social impact, and inspiring new generations.

For his part, His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council, confirmed that Dubai’s hosting of the Global Sports Summit is a continuation of a long journey of institutional work in developing the sports sector. He noted that the emirate has established itself over the past years as a global platform for creating, organizing, and hosting major sports events.

He said: "Dubai’s global status in the sports field has been consolidated through years of international partnerships, investment in infrastructure, development of human competencies, and creativity in professionally organizing global events. This natural path has resulted in the Global Sports Summit, not as a separate event, but as a platform that moves Dubai from the phase of hosting events to leading the global dialogue on the future of sports."

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award

The Global Sports Summit will host the 13th edition of the "Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award," held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The award, launched in 2008, was named the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Sports Creativity during its first twelve editions.

The launch of the award in its new format reflects Dubai’s vision to expand the concept of sports excellence to include globally influential models at the individual, institutional, and initiative levels, enhancing the humanitarian and developmental role of sports.

This year, the award will honor a distinguished group of creators and innovators in the sports field at local, Arab, and global levels, across 16 diverse categories including athletes and teams with exceptional achievements, sports bodies that have contributed with quality programs to the global development of the sector, as well as individuals and initiatives that have enhanced the role of sports in community and humanitarian empowerment.

Strategic Themes and Comprehensive Program

The summit includes organizing more than 20 main sessions discussing the current reality of the sports sector and its future challenges, focusing on the transformation of the role of sports role models—from players on the field to influential community figures with inspiring humanitarian and pioneering experiences. The sessions also address the impact of technology and artificial intelligence in reshaping the global sports system, and the role of sports as a cross-border force in diplomacy, policymaking, and enhancing governance.

Engaging the next generation of fans is a key focus of the summit’s activities, exploring mechanisms to enhance fan interaction according to the preferences of new generations, and the role of digital content in building a sustainable relationship with sports audiences. Additionally, the summit reviews ways to maximize benefits from major global events like the Global Sports Summit in building a sustainable legacy that contributes to infrastructure development, talent support, and enhancing economic and social returns.

Issa Sharif Al Marzouqi, Chairman of the Global Sports Summit, pointed out that the summit program is designed to provide a comprehensive experience that goes beyond the traditional conference model, through interactive sessions that open horizons for dialogue, exchange of expertise, and partnership building. Al Marzouqi noted that the summit covers a wide range of topics including the future of sports, sports development, improving athletic performance and mental health, athletes’ human stories, innovation and advanced technologies and their role in transforming the sector, future investment trends, women’s empowerment in sports, cultural impacts of sports, regional and international sports excellence, and many other topics.

The summit focuses on a wide range of sports reflecting the diversity of the global sports scene, from major popular sports like football, basketball, and tennis, to combat sports, Olympic and Paralympic games, horse and cycling races, speed sports, fitness, and modern sports that reflect the spirit of innovation and contemporary lifestyles.

The Global Sports Summit confirms Dubai’s role as a global hub that brings together all parties of the international sports system and provides a unifying platform for exchanging ideas and anticipating the future, enhancing the emirate’s position on the global sports map and embodying the summit’s theme "Uniting the World Through Sports."