Dubai Games 2026 has completed preparations for its seventh edition, which will run from February 12 to 15 at Dubai Festival City. The multi-day sporting event has secured strong support from both public and private sector organizations, reinforcing its status as one of the emirate's premier community engagement and wellness initiatives. Announced by the Dubai Media Office, the event brings together government entities, private companies, community organizations, and young athletes in a festival-like competition that embodies Dubai's commitment to active lifestyles and community cohesion.
Since its launch, the Dubai Games has grown from a government-focused team-building exercise into a city-wide celebration of sport, health, and community spirit that attracts thousands of participants and spectators across multiple days and venues.
Dubai Games 2026 — Seventh Edition
February 12-15 at Dubai Festival City — Four competitive categories with public-private sector participation and dedicated juniors division
Four Competition Categories
The Dubai Games 2026 features four distinct competitive categories, each designed to engage a different segment of the community:
Government Challenge (Men's & Women's)
Teams from Dubai government entities compete in separate men's and women's divisions across multiple sporting disciplines. This category reinforces team-building, inter-departmental collaboration, and wellness within the public sector workforce
Community Challenge
Open to community organizations, clubs, and private sector companies, this category brings together diverse groups of Dubai residents in competitive and recreational sporting events
Cities Challenge
Teams representing different areas and communities within Dubai compete in a format that celebrates neighborhood identity and local pride, encouraging participation from across the emirate
Juniors Challenge
A dedicated category for young athletes, introducing the next generation to competitive sports, teamwork, and the values of sportsmanship in a safe and supportive environment
Dubai Festival City: The Venue
Dubai Festival City, located along the Dubai Creek, provides an ideal setting for the multi-day event. The waterfront development combines retail, entertainment, and hospitality facilities with open spaces suitable for sporting competitions. Its central location and accessibility via major road networks and the Dubai Creek make it convenient for participants and spectators from across the emirate.
Previous editions have utilized multiple zones within the venue — outdoor fields for team sports, covered areas for fitness challenges, and festival-style zones for entertainment, food, and community engagement activities. The event extends well beyond competitive sport, creating a family-friendly atmosphere that attracts spectators, supporters, and casual visitors alongside the competing teams.
Alignment with Dubai's Wellness and Quality of Life Strategy
The Dubai Games is directly aligned with several strategic initiatives aimed at improving quality of life and community well-being across the emirate:
Supporting Dubai's Wellness Agenda
- Dubai Fitness Challenge: The annual 30-day fitness initiative launched by HH Sheikh Hamdan that encourages all residents to commit to 30 minutes of daily activity — the Dubai Games extends this ethos year-round
- Quality of Life Strategy: Dubai's comprehensive strategy to make the emirate the best city to live and work in, with physical activity and community engagement as key pillars
- Dubai Sports Council: The government body overseeing sports development, facility management, and event hosting across the emirate
- Active Dubai: Programs promoting sports participation across all age groups and ability levels
- Corporate Wellness: The government and private sector challenges encourage organizations to invest in employee health and team-building programs
Public-Private Sector Collaboration
One of the distinctive features of the Dubai Games is its success in bringing together public and private sector organizations in a competitive sporting format. Government entities — from RTA and DEWA to Dubai Police and Dubai Municipality — field teams alongside private companies, creating a rare space where cross-sector networking happens through shared athletic experience rather than formal business meetings.
The event's sponsors and partners include major Dubai-based corporations and government entities, providing financial support, logistical resources, and participant teams. This public-private collaboration model is characteristic of Dubai's approach to community initiatives, where government vision is amplified by private sector participation and investment.
The Juniors Division: Investing in Future Athletes
The Juniors Challenge represents an investment in Dubai's next generation of athletes and active citizens. By providing a structured competitive environment for young people, the Dubai Games introduces children and teenagers to the values of sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline, and healthy competition. The division has grown steadily since its introduction, with increasing numbers of schools and youth organizations fielding teams each year.
Dubai's investment in youth sports extends well beyond the Games. The emirate has hosted major international youth sporting events, built world-class sports facilities accessible to residents, and established sports academies across disciplines from football and cricket to swimming and athletics. The Dubai Games serves as a gateway event that introduces young people to competitive sport in an accessible, community-oriented format.
"The Dubai Games is more than a sporting event — it is a celebration of community spirit, wellness, and the active lifestyle that defines Dubai. Every edition brings more participants, more energy, and more proof that sport has the power to unite a diverse city."
— Dubai Games organizing committee
What to Expect at the Seventh Edition
The 2026 edition is expected to be the largest yet, building on the growing momentum of previous editions. With strong public and private sector backing, expanded categories, and a venue that combines competitive facilities with festival-style entertainment, the Dubai Games offers something for everyone — from elite athletes representing their organizations to families looking for an active weekend outing.
For residents and visitors to Dubai, the Games provide a window into the emirate's community culture that extends beyond the skyscrapers and luxury malls. It is a reminder that Dubai is not just a city for business and tourism but a city where community, wellness, and active living are actively promoted and genuinely embraced by a diverse population of over 3.7 million people from nearly 200 nationalities.
