Dubai to host World Sports Summit with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Manny Pacquiao among star speakers
Largest global sports platform to bring icons, investors and policymakers together
DUBAI is set to host one of the most ambitious international sports gatherings ever staged in the region with the launch of the World Sports Summit, announced by the Dubai Sports Council.
Held under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, the summit will take place from December 29 to 30, 2025, at Madinat Jumeirah. It will be organised under the theme ‘Uniting the World Through Sports’ and is positioned as a global platform for shaping the future of the sports sector.
Conceived as the largest global gathering of its kind, the World Sports Summit will bring together senior decision-makers, international sports federations, global stars, investors, innovators and subject experts. The event aims to create a unified forum for dialogue and the exchange of insights on how sport continues to evolve as a social, economic and cultural force worldwide.
World Sports Summit
The summit aligns with the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033, overseen Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council. The strategy seeks to reinforce Dubai’s international leadership in sport, strengthen its ability to attract elite talent and position the emirate among the world’s leading destinations for hosting major sporting events.
Speaking during the official announcement, Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, highlighted that the launch of the World Sports Summit reflects Dubai’s long-term vision of leadership and innovation. He emphasised that sport has become a significant driver of economic growth while also playing a central role in improving quality of life and building healthier, more connected communities.
Belhoul noted that Dubai’s approach views sport not solely as competition but as a humanitarian message with the power to inspire societies and future generations. He added that innovation in sport extends beyond performance to include governance, social impact and the development of sustainable ecosystems that support athletes and institutions alike.
Star speakers
More than 70 speakers are expected to take part in the summit, representing a diverse mix of leadership, elite performance and global influence. The confirmed line-up includes Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Dr Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Ronaldo Nazario, Paolo Maldini, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Manny Pacquiao, Reggie Bush, Ons Jabeur and Nick Santonastasso. Additional prominent figures from across the international sports landscape are set to be announced in the coming days.
These speakers collectively reflect decades of experience across professional sport, governance, investment and humanitarian initiatives. Their participation positions the summit as a focal point for knowledge-sharing and inspiration, offering perspectives that span elite competition, administration and the broader societal role of sport.
Dubai’s journey
Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, said the summit builds on Dubai’s established record of institutional excellence in sports development. He pointed to the emirate’s consistent success in hosting major international sporting events and forging global partnerships as key foundations for the new initiative.
Hareb explained that Dubai’s reputation has been shaped through sustained investment in infrastructure, human capital and professional event organisation. He described the World Sports Summit as a natural evolution, marking a shift from hosting events to leading global conversations on the future of sport. According to Hareb, the summit is designed as an ongoing platform rather than a standalone occasion, reinforcing Dubai’s role in setting international agendas.
Awards spotlight
A major highlight of the summit will be 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, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE.
Established in 2008 and formerly known as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Sports Creativity, the award has been refreshed to reflect a broader and more global vision of sports excellence.
The award will recognise innovators and creatives across 16 categories at local, regional and international levels. Honourees will include athletes and teams with outstanding achievements, organisations contributing to sector-wide development and individuals or initiatives that have strengthened the social and humanitarian impact of sport. The updated format underscores Dubai’s emphasis on celebrating influence and creativity alongside competitive success.
Future themes
The World Sports Summit will feature more than 20 keynote sessions examining the current state of global sport and the challenges shaping its future. Discussions will address the evolving role of sports icons as influential public figures, the growing impact of technology and artificial intelligence on performance and operations, and the use of sport as a tool for diplomacy, governance and policy development.
Engagement with younger generations will be a central theme, with sessions focused on changing fan behaviour, digital consumption patterns and the role of content in building sustainable relationships with audiences. Speakers will also explore how major global events can leave lasting legacies through infrastructure development, talent pathways and long-term economic and social benefits.
Essa Sharif Al Marzouqi, President of the World Sports Summit, said the event has been designed to go beyond the traditional conference format. He explained that the programme aims to create an integrated experience that encourages dialogue, partnership-building and the sharing of expertise across disciplines.
Al Marzouqi confirmed that discussions will span performance enhancement, inspirational athlete journeys, technological innovation, investment trends, women’s empowerment in sport and the cultural influence of sporting excellence. The summit will also reflect the diversity of the global sports ecosystem, covering football, basketball and tennis alongside combat sports, Olympic and Paralympic disciplines, horse and bike racing, motorsports, fitness and emerging modern sports shaped by innovation and lifestyle trends.