Dubai, United Arab Emirates – His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), officially launched the ambitious Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 on November 15, 2025. This comprehensive, forward-looking strategy outlines a definitive roadmap for elevating Dubai’s sports sector, aiming to position the emirate as the world’s leading destination for sports, athletes, and talent by 2033 through enhanced competitiveness, increased economic contribution, and widespread community engagement.
The unveiling event, held at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, convened a distinguished gathering of local and international sports figures, industry leaders, and federation representatives. During the ceremony, Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed presented the plan’s core pillars and objectives while simultaneously revealing Dubai’s new official sports identity—a unifying emblem chosen from thousands of public design submissions that symbolizes the emirate’s global sporting aspirations.
Strategic Pillars Drive Growth and Competitiveness
The Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 is structured around four interconnected pillars: Community, Events, Clubs, and Talent. Overseen by the DSC, the strategy encompasses 19 distinct programs and 75 actionable initiatives designed to overhaul sports infrastructure, foster active lifestyles, and cultivate promising athletic talent through advanced training and development systems.
Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed stressed that the plan reflects Dubai’s deep-seated commitment to cultivating a world-class sports ecosystem that nurtures emerging athletes and drives sustainable industry growth. “We have launched a comprehensive and forward-looking vision for the future of sport in Dubai,” he stated, adding that the focus would be on empowering public and private clubs to meet international standards and developing infrastructure that mirrors Dubai’s global stature.
To diversify and strengthen the sports landscape, the plan specifically identifies 17 priority sports, categorizing them into three groups:
- Emerging Sports: Including high-growth areas like padel, combat sports, and Esports.
- Community Sports: Focusing on public health activities such as running and swimming.
- Sports with Global Reach: Economic and popular mainstays like golf, cricket, and basketball.
Ambitious Economic and Social Targets
The 2033 strategy sets forth quantifiable, transformative goals designed to maximize the sector’s impact on residents’ well-being and the local economy.
By the target year of 2033, the DSC aims to achieve significant growth benchmarks:
- Economic Impact: Increase the sport sector’s annual contribution to Dubai’s GDP from AED 10.17 billion to AED 18.3 billion.
- Participation: Boost the number of residents actively participating in sports from 1.6 million to 2.6 million.
- Event Attendance: Raise annual attendance at major sporting events hosted in Dubai from 1.67 million to 4.1 million.
These targets underscore the plan’s role as a principal driver of economic activity and improved quality of life, aligning closely with the broader Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033.
Governance and Global Showcase
To ensure accountability and effectiveness, the DSC will implement robust governance mechanisms, utilizing clear performance indicators and fostering enhanced collaboration between government entities and the private sector. This framework is vital for maximizing investment efficiency and ensuring project sustainability.
The new strategic objectives and the emirate’s revamped sports identity will be presented to a global audience at the upcoming World Sports Summit, scheduled to take place in Dubai in late December. The summit will serve as a crucial platform, bringing together international sports leaders, decision-makers, and representatives from leading global federations, reaffirming Dubai’s position as a regional sports capital and a magnet for global athletic talent and investment.
The strategy ultimately seeks to build an integrated system balancing competitive excellence, effective governance, and community development, cementing sport as a cornerstone of Dubai’s progress toward a healthy, vibrant, and cohesive society.