Dubai to Host Inaugural World Sports Summit on December 29–30

Dubai is set to host the inaugural World Sports Summit on December 29 and 30, marking the emirate’s first global event of its kind dedicated to shaping the future of international sport. The two-day summit will be held at Madinat Jumeirah and is expected to attract more than 1,500 participants from across the global sports industry.

Organised by the Dubai Sports Council under the theme “Uniting the World Through Sport”, the summit aims to bring together elite athletes, sports administrators, investors, and decision-makers to discuss key challenges, opportunities, and innovations within the sector. The event will also focus on supporting emerging talent and strengthening the role of sport in community development.

Welcoming participants, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, said the summit would serve as a global platform for dialogue on sports development. He noted that the gathering would help shape the future of sport through strategic initiatives, legislation, and international cooperation.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, said the summit would feature dialogue sessions, workshops, and seminars that highlight the current state of global sports while inspiring future generations.

The summit will host 70 speakers, including some of the world’s most recognised athletes and sports leaders. The opening day will feature keynote speeches by Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who will present a session titled “The Next 90 Minutes.”

Other highlights include panel discussions featuring tennis stars Novak Djokovic, Ons Jabeur, and Paula Badosa, as well as football executives and legends such as Nasser Al Khelaifi, Ronaldo Nazario, and Peter Crouch. Boxing icons Manny Pacquiao and Oleksandr Usyk, along with former NBA players turned managers, will also take part.

The second day will include sessions led by MMA star Khabib Nurmagomedov, football legends Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero, and discussions on the intersection of sport, fashion, and business. The summit will conclude with a EuroLeague-focused panel featuring Tony Parker and senior basketball executives.

The World Sports Summit positions Dubai as a growing global hub for sports leadership, innovation, and international collaboration.