Dubai to host second World Sports Summit with global stars and decision-makers
Two-day event to spotlight technology, talent and the future of sport
DUBAI – Dubai is preparing to host the second edition of the World Sports Summit from 28-29 December 2026 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.
Organised by the Dubai Sports Council under the guidance of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, the summit will be held under the theme ‘Uniting the World Through Sport.’
The annual event will bring together leading figures, decision-makers, specialists and sporting stars from around the world, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a major platform for discussions shaping the future of global sport. The summit will feature keynote speeches, international awards ceremonies and sporting events held alongside the main programme.
In line with the directives of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, the Dubai Sports Council has started preparing the summit’s key themes, focusing on developments transforming the sports sector and creating a comprehensive platform for global collaboration.
World Sports Summit
The 2026 edition is set to be the largest, most comprehensive and most impactful edition of the summit, gathering leaders from across the international sports community as Dubai continues efforts to unite global stakeholders and support the advancement of sport worldwide.
The summit’s agenda will highlight major areas influencing the future of sports, including advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, talent attraction and development, and evolving approaches to strengthening the global sports ecosystem.
Organisers are working on establishing a sustainable framework that encourages cooperation, enhances international engagement and supports the growth of the sports sector across different fields. The initiative will also focus on launching timely sports programmes, developing global partnerships and encouraging collective action among organisations, athletes and decision-makers.
The event will also honour the winners of the ‘Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award’, celebrating outstanding achievements by athletes, teams and sports personalities from around the world.
The first edition of the World Sports Summit welcomed more than 1,500 sports stars, officials and decision-makers from across the global sporting landscape, including 200 international stars. The inaugural event also recorded more than 33.6 million live stream views and 850 million digital interactions across social media platforms.
The summit quickly developed into a global platform for dialogue and cooperation, strengthening Dubai’s role as an international sports destination and a meeting point for those working towards the future of the sector.
The opening edition featured an inspiring keynote address by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and included sessions with several prominent figures from the world of sport.
Participants included Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports in Bahrain; Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports in the UAE; Nasser Al Khelaifi, President of Paris Saint-Germain; MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov; Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao; former Italian football star Roberto Baggio; French basketball legend and Lyon owner Tony Parker; tennis champion Novak Djokovic; and Abdullah Al Naboodah, founder and owner of Dubai Basketball Club.
The summit also featured appearances by FIFA World Cup winners including Brazil’s Ronaldo and Cafu, Spain’s Carles Puyol and Andres Iniesta, France’s Didier Deschamps and former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro. Sessions were moderated by World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero of Italy and former Manchester United and England star Rio Ferdinand.
Award honours
During the inaugural summit, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, was honoured as the recipient of the ‘Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award’, alongside several Arab and international sports stars.
Among the recognised names were Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur, Tokyo and Paris Olympic gold medallist in badminton Viktor Axelsen, American Olympic fencing champion Ibtihaj Muhammad, football legend Paolo Maldini and Pakistan’s Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem.
The upcoming edition will continue highlighting achievements across different sports while bringing together athletes, administrators and experts to discuss opportunities and challenges shaping the industry.
Major partnerships
The first summit also witnessed the signing of significant agreements aimed at expanding Dubai’s role in international sports. A partnership between FIFA and the Dubai Sports Council was announced for the launch of an international awards ceremony, with Dubai selected as the host city.
Another strategic partnership agreement was signed between the Dubai Sports Council and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) to launch the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship series.
Under the five-year agreement, Dubai will host the premier biennial standalone tournament that crowns official world champions, becoming a permanent opening venue for the championship series.