The Ultimate UAE Sports Watchlist for the Rest of 2026

When it comes to sports, the UAE has firmly established itself as a place where the biggest names, most competitive tournaments and most unexpected sporting spectacles all meet.

From world-class athletes arriving in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Emirati teams and stars taking on international competition, the final months of 2026 are packed with reasons to tune in or show up. Here’s what UAE sports fans should have on their radar before the year wraps up.

Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

December 4th – 6th, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi

The Formula 1 season will reach its final stop at Yas Marina, bringing the championship fight, the world's biggest drivers and thousands of fans to Abu Dhabi. Beyond the race itself, the weekend packs F2, F3 & F1 Academy action, concerts and Yasalam entertainment into one of the UAE's biggest annual sporting spectacles.

Where to watch: beIN SPORTS and TOD across MENA; tickets available for Yas Marina Circuit.

UFC 333

October 24th, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

UFC returns to Abu Dhabi with another blockbuster night of MMA, headlined by featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski against Movsar Evloev. With the world’s biggest MMA promotion back at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi once again becomes the meeting point for the sport’s biggest stars and fight fans.

Where to watch: STARZPLAY and UFC Fight Pass; tickets available for Etihad Arena.

Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Championships

November 9th – 21st, Mubadala Arena, Abu Dhabi

Jiu-jitsu’s biggest names will converge on Abu Dhabi for almost two weeks of competition across professional, amateur, youth, para, masters and festival divisions. The event carries extra weight at home, with the UAE having established itself as one of the sport’s leading nations and its athletes regularly challenging for the biggest international titles.

Where to watch: Live at Mubadala Arena and through official UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation/AJP coverage.

AFC Champions League Elite

September 14th – May 1st, across Asia

UAE football will have a continental stage of its own, with Al Ain, Al Wasl and Shabab Al Ahli taking on Asia’s biggest clubs. Al Ain’s campaign includes heavyweight clashes with Al Nassr and Al Hilal, while Al Wasl will also face some of the region’s biggest names as the league phase unfolds.

Where to watch: beIN SPORTS / beIN CONNECT.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games

September 19th – October 4th, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan

The UAE will take on Asia’s best at the 20th Asian Games, with Emirati athletes competing across a wide range of sports. With the UAE traditionally strong in disciplines including jiu-jitsu, equestrian and shooting, the Games will provide another opportunity for the country’s athletes to add to its Asian Games medal tally.

Where to watch: beIN Sports.

Golf's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

November 5th – 8th, Yas Links Abu Dhabi

The DP World Tour’s best will arrive at Yas Links for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the opening event of the season-ending Play-Offs. With the leading players in the Race to Dubai fighting to finish the season on top, the tournament brings some of golf’s biggest names to the capital.

Where to watch: DP World Tour coverage; general admission is free with registration.

Arabian Gulf Cup

September 23rd – October 6th, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The UAE national football team heads to Jeddah for the 27th Gulf Cup, where it will face Yemen, Bahrain and Qatar in the group stage. With regional rivalries at the heart of the tournament, the UAE’s meeting with Qatar on September 30th could be one of the group stage’s biggest games.

Where to watch: Abu Dhabi Media Network / Abu Dhabi Sports channels.

World Triathlon Multisport Championships

November 13th – 22nd, Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi

More than 4,000 athletes will descend on Hudayriyat Island for a packed week of world championship racing across duathlon, cross triathlon, aquathlon, aquabike and long-distance triathlon. The programme also features the elite World Triathlon Championship Series Abu Dhabi, bringing some of the biggest names in the sport to the capital.

Where to watch: World Triathlon’s official live coverage; watch live on Hudayriyat Island.

Abu Dhabi Judo Grand Slam

October 29th – 31st, Abu Dhabi

Some of the world’s best judokas will head to Abu Dhabi for one of the biggest events on the IJF calendar. Across three days of competition, athletes will battle for medals and valuable ranking points, giving UAE fans a chance to watch the global judo elite compete on home soil.

Where to watch: JudoTV and official IJF digital platforms; watch live in Abu Dhabi.

Cricket's DP World Women’s Asia Cup

August 28th – September 13th, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

The UAE women’s cricket team will have home advantage when eight of Asia’s best sides descend on Dubai for the T20 Asia Cup. Captain Esha Oza leads a 15-player UAE squad into Group B alongside defending champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Indonesia, with the hosts opening against Sri Lanka on August 29th.

Where to watch: Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV.

UAE Horse Racing Season

October 22nd – April 15th, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah

Horse racing returns across the Emirates for another season of high-stakes competition, with meetings taking place at some of the country’s biggest racecourses. From Meydan to Abu Dhabi, Jebel Ali and Sharjah, the season brings together elite horses, jockeys and trainers throughout the winter.

Where to watch: Live at racecourses across the UAE; check the Emirates Racing Authority calendar for race dates and venues.

Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge

October 17th, Tilal Sweihan, Abu Dhabi

The UAE desert becomes the ultimate off-road playground as the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge brings cars, motorcycles, buggies and quads to Tilal Sweihan. The championship also doubles as a platform for developing local talent, putting emerging Emirati competitors alongside experienced international racers.

Where to watch: Live at Tilal Sweihan; another round takes place December 12th–13th in Liwa, Al Dhafra.

Spartan World Championship

November 19th – 22nd, Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi

The world’s toughest obstacle-course racers will head into the desert for the Spartan World Championship. The Al Wathba weekend will feature the headline 21K Beast World Championship alongside team relay and shorter races, turning the event into a full weekend of obstacle-racing action.

Where to watch: Live at Al Wathba — spectator passes available.

UAE Marine Sports Calendar

September – April, Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra

From traditional dhow racing to sailing, rowing, fishing, powerboats and aquabike racing, the UAE’s marine sports calendar showcases a side of competitive sport that is uniquely tied to the country’s coastline and heritage. Dozens of events will take place across Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra throughout the final months of the year.

Where to watch: Live across Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra; check Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club for individual event details.

All-Star Sumo

September 26th, Space42 Arena, Abu Dhabi

One of Japan’s most iconic sports is making its UAE debut, with professional sumo wrestlers from Japan, Mongolia and Egypt coming to Abu Dhabi for a night of traditional Japanese wrestling. Expect 36 bouts alongside the rituals, ceremonies and spectacle that make sumo unlike almost any other sport.

Where to watch: Live at Space42 Arena, tickets available.

Emirates Dubai 7s

The Emirates Dubai 7s returns to The Sevens Stadium for a packed weekend of international rugby, featuring the HSBC SVNS Dubai leg alongside the tournament’s community rugby, cricket and entertainment programme. The event brings together the world’s top rugby sevens teams for three days of competition, making it one of the UAE’s biggest annual sporting and lifestyle weekends.

Where to watch: STARZPLAY & on the event’s official YouTube channel.