Dubai will host the second edition of the World Sports Summit on 28 and 29 December 2026, bringing together global sports leaders, elite athletes, decision-makers and industry experts to discuss the future of international sport. Organised by the Dubai Sports Council, the annual event will be held under the theme “Uniting the World Through Sport” and aims to build on the success of its inaugural edition.
The summit will take place 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. It is being held under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, as the emirate continues to strengthen its position as a global destination for major sporting events.
Organisers said preparations are already underway to deliver the largest edition of the summit to date. The event will focus on strengthening international cooperation across the sports sector while encouraging dialogue on the trends shaping the industry’s future, including advanced technologies, artificial intelligence and talent development.
In line with the directives of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, the Dubai Sports Council has begun defining strategic themes designed to reflect the rapidly changing global sports landscape. The summit also aims to encourage new partnerships, launch international initiatives and create long-term collaboration between governing bodies, sports organisations and private sector stakeholders.
Building on a successful first edition
The inaugural World Sports Summit quickly established itself as one of the largest gatherings of sports leaders in the region. More than 1,500 sports officials, athletes and decision-makers attended the first edition, including over 200 international sports stars. The event also generated more than 33.6 million live stream views and approximately 850 million digital interactions across social media platforms.
The summit featured speeches and panel discussions from some of the biggest names in world sport. Participants included Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, Nasser Al Khelaifi, President of Paris Saint-Germain, former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, football icons Roberto Baggio, Ronaldo, Cafu, Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Didier Deschamps and Fabio Cannavaro, as well as tennis champion Novak Djokovic and basketball star Tony Parker.
Sessions during the first summit were moderated by former Italy and Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero and former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand. The event also honoured leading athletes through the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award, recognising sporting excellence from across the Arab world and the international sports community.
Sport, innovation and tourism come together
The 2026 summit will once again conclude with the presentation of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award. Organisers expect discussions to focus on innovation, sustainability, digital transformation and the growing influence of artificial intelligence on athlete development, fan engagement and sports management.
The first edition also resulted in several significant international agreements. FIFA and the Dubai Sports Council signed an agreement to launch a new international sports awards ceremony to be hosted in Dubai. Another long-term partnership with the International Volleyball Federation established Dubai as the permanent opening venue for the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship series under a five-year agreement.
The World Sports Summit has become another major event in Dubai’s expanding calendar of international conferences, exhibitions and sporting competitions. By attracting athletes, sports executives, investors and governing bodies from around the world, the summit is expected to generate additional business travel while reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a leading destination for global events, sports tourism and international collaboration.