His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), recently launched the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033, outlining a comprehensive, decade-long roadmap designed to position the emirate as the foremost global destination for athletics, events, and sports innovation. Unveiled at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, the plan’s core objectives center on amplifying the sector’s economic potential, fostering grassroots participation, and nurturing elite talent, aligning with Dubai’s broader vision for a world-class quality of life and sustained economic growth.
The strategic launch event, which gathered influential international athletes, sports officials, federation representatives, and major event organizers, underscored the commitment to transforming Dubai’s sporting landscape. Concurrent with the strategic plan, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor also introduced Dubai’s new official sports identity—a unifying symbol selected from thousands of creative submissions—intended to embody the emirate’s ambitious new chapter in global sport.
Driving Growth and Global Competitiveness
The strategic plan reflects Dubai’s dedication to cultivating a robust sports ecosystem that encourages community engagement and establishes sustainable industry growth. His Highness Sheikh Mansoor emphasized that the initiative will focus on empowering both public and private clubs to achieve international benchmarks, upgrade infrastructure, and significantly expand participation across all community segments.
The ultimate vision is clear: to build a dynamic, innovative, and globally competitive sports environment that makes Dubai the definitive hub for athletes and sporting excellence by 2033.
The Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 is structured around four main pillars: Community, Events, Clubs, and Talent. Overseen directly by the DSC, the framework encompasses 19 specialized programs and 75 targeted initiatives aimed at enhancing sporting infrastructure, promoting active lifestyles, and developing talent through advanced training and development systems.
Ambitious Targets for a Decade of Development
The plan sets clear, ambitious metrics for the next decade, projecting significant leaps in several key areas. By 2033, the strategy aims to:
- Increase the sports sector’s annual contribution to Dubai’s GDP from AED 10.17 billion to AED 18.3 billion.
- Grow the number of active resident sports participants from 1.6 million to 2.6 million.
- Raise annual attendance at major events hosted in Dubai from 1.67 million to 4.1 million.
To achieve these goals, the strategy identifies 17 priority sports categorized into three areas: Emerging Sports (e.g., padel, combat sports, and Esports, noting their rapid growth), Community Sports (e.g., running and swimming, vital for public health), and Sports with Global Reach (e.g., golf, cricket, and basketball, recognized for their widespread appeal and economic value).
Integrated Vision and Implementation
The Strategic Plan 2033 is intentionally integrated with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, ensuring a seamless flow between competitive excellence, community development, and effective governance. This holistic approach supports Dubai’s goal of fostering a healthy, active, and sustainable society.
Effective implementation will be overseen by robust governance mechanisms managed by the DSC. These measures include adopting clear performance indicators, strengthening collaboration between government entities and the private sector, and ensuring maximum efficiency in sports infrastructure investments.
The forthcoming World Sports Summit in Dubai, scheduled for the end of December, will serve as a crucial platform. His Highness directed that the strategy’s objectives and the new sports identity be showcased during the summit, which will convene international sports decision-makers, officials, and leading global federations.
By prioritizing competitiveness, sustainability, and community wellbeing, the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 reaffirms the emirate’s position as the region’s undisputed sports capital and a magnet for global athletes, talent, and investors, significantly improving Dubai’s standing on global quality-of-life indices.