5 major sporting events coming to Abu Dhabi in 2025
Year-long calendar packed with action from surfing, basketball, golf, and more
When Abu Dhabi plays host, the world shows up.
From centre court to the final corner, Abu Dhabi is turning 2025 into a global stage for sport. This is no longer just a city with sun-soaked beaches and skyscrapers – it’s a powerhouse where champions compete, records are broken, and fans from every continent come to cheer.
This year, the UAE’s capital is packed with elite sporting action: historic basketball firsts, knockout UFC showdowns, a groundbreaking surfing event, and a season-ending F1 finale that will stop the world in its tracks.
Whether you’re courtside, cage-side or trackside, these five international events prove one thing: when it comes to sport in 2025, all roads lead to Abu Dhabi.
EuroLeague Final Four
For the first time in its history, the EuroLeague Final Four – Europe’s premier basketball competition – is stepping outside its continental home and landing in Abu Dhabi. The action will unfold at Etihad Arena from May 23 to 25, with elite teams including Olympiacos, Monaco, Fenerbahçe Beko and Panathinaikos AKTOR going head-to-head for the crown.
Expect three days of high-intensity matchups featuring some of the finest European basketball stars in a tournament that has never been played outside Europe – until now.
- Etihad Arena, Yas Island | May 23–25
UFC Fight Night
The Octagon returns to the capital on July 26 as UFC Fight Night brings another round of fierce competition to Yas Island’s Etihad Arena. Following an explosive 2024 with two major UFC events in the same year – including UFC 308 – fans are eagerly awaiting the fight card details for this summer edition.
Since 2010, Abu Dhabi has hosted more than 20 UFC events, cementing its status as a global destination for MMA fans. The July event will be the first of two UFC showcases expected this year.
- Etihad Arena, Yas Island | July 26
NBA Abu Dhabi Games
Basketball fans in the UAE are in for a treat this October as two of the NBA’s powerhouse teams – the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers – face off in pre-season games on October 2 and 4. The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025, presented by ADQ, promise fast-paced action and superstar matchups at Etihad Arena.
Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges lead the charge for the Knicks, while the 76ers bring 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey to the court. Big names, bright lights, and a massive crowd await.
- Etihad Arena, Yas Island | October 2 & 4
Abu Dhabi Golf Championship
Returning for its 20th edition, the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship tees off from November 6 to 9 at Yas Links Golf Club. Part of the DP World Tour Play-Offs, this event draws the top 70 players on the Race to Dubai rankings to compete for a shot at the season’s final showdown.
General admission tickets are free on Thursday and Friday, while premium experiences are available at Bar on Nine and the Championship Chalet, offering luxury hospitality overlooking the 9th and 18th greens.
- Yas Links, Yas Island | November 6–9
World Surf League Championship Tour
Abu Dhabi making waves in more ways than one. In a historic first, the city will ride a new sporting wave as it hosts a stop on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour in 2025. The event will be held at Surf Abu Dhabi, a cutting-edge facility located on Hudayriyat Island and powered by Kelly Slater Wave Company’s pioneering tech.
This marks the WSL’s expansion into the Middle East, with consistent, artificial waves providing an ideal setting for elite competition. While the exact date is yet to be announced, the event places Abu Dhabi firmly on surfing’s global map.
- Surf Abu Dhabi, Hudayriyat Island | Date TBA
Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Capping off the year in style, the 2025 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will light up the Yas Marina Circuit from December 4 to 7. As the final race of the F1 calendar, this weekend will determine titles, spark rivalries and deliver unmatched energy.
The Yasalam After-Race Concerts at Etihad Park will again feature global music icons – with previous years hosting Metallica and Katy Perry. With twilight racing and starlit performances, it’s Abu Dhabi’s biggest sporting spectacle of the year.
- Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island | December 4–7
So, with all this action lined up – where are you heading this year?