Dubai Games 2026 crowns champions as 1,600 athletes compete from 56 cities
Ajman, Czarny Dunajec and Team F3 shine at finale
DUBAI – Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the seventh edition of Dubai Games concluded with the crowning of champions across four competitive categories.
The event brought together more than 1,600 athletes representing 56 cities worldwide, reaffirming its status as a major fixture on the international sporting calendar. Over four days, teams navigated demanding obstacle courses designed to test not only physical endurance but also collective strategy and cohesion.
Congratulating the winners, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan said the championship’s qualitative excellence reinforces Dubai’s standing as a global hub for sports and major events. He noted that the Games embody the emirate’s ambition and spirit of innovation, while fostering an environment that supports high achievement and teamwork.
Intense competition
This year’s edition featured four principal categories: Battle of the Government, Battle of the Community, Battle of the Cities and Battle of the Juniors. Each division showcased high levels of competitiveness and disciplined teamwork, with podium positions fiercely contested.
The final day opened with the Battle of the Juniors, where young athletes competed for the first time on the main tournament course, adapted to their respective age groups. Conducted within a professional sporting environment, the event provided emerging talent with a platform to measure themselves against structured challenges.
Teams tackled seven obstacles demanding speed, precision and coordination. Team OCR Empire secured first place, followed by Team Goldstoso Grapplers in second and Team Woodtopia in third, after a closely fought contest.
Shaping champions
As the competition intensified, qualified teams progressed to a newly designed six-obstacle final course, to be completed within 45 minutes. The format demanded strength, focus and tactical planning, reinforcing that success at Dubai Games depends as much on decision-making as on physical prowess.
Challenges included a vehicle pull, water obstacles and synchronised wall climbing, among other tests. The structure required clear role allocation and seamless collaboration, with teams needing to maintain composure throughout each phase.
Organisers highlighted that the philosophy behind the course design rests on clear principles: fair competition, defined stages of advancement and a competitive experience that rewards cohesion under pressure. The seventh edition introduced innovative elements aimed at testing concentration and unity, further elevating the event’s reputation as a distinctive team-based challenge.
Battles of government and community
In the Battle of the Government Men’s category, the Ajman Government team claimed first place. Dubai Police finished second, while the Department of Digital Ajman secured third.
In the Government Women’s division, the Ministry of Education took top honours. Dubai Health followed in second place, with Dubai Police completing the podium in third.
The Battle of the Community delivered equally competitive performances. Team F3 secured first place, Team NAS finished second and Ajman Stud claimed third. The category reflected the Games’ wider objective of promoting active lifestyles and encouraging participation across different segments of society.
Battle of the Cities
The Battle of the Cities category recorded its largest ever global participation, with several new cities joining the competition. Czarny Dunajec from Poland secured first place, while Montreal from Canada finished second. Moscow, Russia, took third place.
The expansion in city representation underscored the growing international appeal of Dubai Games as one of the world’s leading team challenge events. The format continues to attract municipalities seeking to showcase athletic depth and coordinated performance on a global platform.
Dubai Games 2026
Held from 12 to 15 February, Dubai Games 2026 featured DP World as an official partner. DAMAC Group, Beyond Developments and Emirates Petroleum Company (Emarat) joined as Diamond Partners, while the Dubai Sports Council supported the championship as Strategic Partner.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Unilabs Middle East and Al Gurg Group participated as Gold Partners. Additional sponsors included Dubai Festival City as Venue Partner, alongside Al-Futtaim Automotive, First Abu Dhabi Bank, du, Red Bull, Mai Dubai, the Arabian Radio Network and Dubai Media Incorporated. Operational support was provided by Dubai Health, Dubai Ambulance, Dubai Police, the Event Security Committee and the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai.