H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), today launched the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033, a comprehensive roadmap designed to elevate the competitiveness of Dubai’s sports sector and strengthen the emirate’s global sporting standing.
The announcement was made at a special event hosted at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, where local and international sports stars, federation representatives, academy leaders, partners, and major event organisers gathered to review the plan’s key pillars and objectives. During the event, Dubai also unveiled its new sports identity, selected from thousands of public submissions, symbolising a new chapter for the emirate’s sporting ecosystem.
H.H. Sheikh Mansoor reaffirmed Dubai’s long-term commitment to developing a world-class sports sector that nurtures talent, inspires community participation, and drives sustainable growth.
“We have launched an integrated, forward-looking vision that enhances the sector’s competitiveness, creates new opportunities, supports young talent, and strengthens Dubai’s global reputation as a centre for sporting excellence,” he said.
He added that the next phase will focus on empowering both public and private clubs to meet international standards, expanding community participation, and developing facilities and infrastructure that reflect Dubai’s ambition and capabilities.
Built on four main pillars — Community, Events, Clubs, and Talent — the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 features 19 programmes and 75 initiatives aimed at advancing sports infrastructure, promoting active lifestyles, and grooming promising talent through world-class development systems.
The plan identifies 17 priority sports across three categories:
- Emerging Sports such as padel, combat sports, and Esports;
- Community Sports such as running and swimming;
- Sports with Global Reach such as golf, cricket, and basketball.
By 2033, the plan aims to:
- Increase the sports sector’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP from $2.77 billion to $4.99 billion annually,
- Raise the number of active sports participants from 1.6 million to 2.6 million,
- Increase annual attendance at major sporting events from 1.67 million to 4.1 million.
To ensure effective implementation, the Dubai Sports Council will introduce robust governance mechanisms, adopt clear performance indicators, and strengthen collaboration with government and private-sector partners to enhance sustainability and maximize investment efficiency.
The new strategic plan reaffirms Dubai’s commitment to fostering a healthy, active, and sustainable society while cementing its position as the region’s sports capital and a global destination for athletes, talent, and investors.
