UAE Gears Up for a Packed Sports Calendar Featuring F1, Rugby Sevens, Jake Paul, and Top Golf Stars

The United Arab Emirates is set to host a series of high-profile sporting events and welcome global athletes in the coming weeks. Here's a look at the major events scheduled across the Emirates this year.

Golf

Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship: November 5-8, Yas Links. Rory McIlroy is set to return for this penultimate event of the DP World Tour season, with the Race to Dubai winner to be decided the following week. Also competing are 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood, and Tyrrell Hatton.

DP World Tour Championship: November 12-15, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai. McIlroy, currently third in the Race to Dubai rankings behind leader Eugenio Chaccara, aims for a record-equalling eighth overall win and fifth consecutive title. He will need to surpass Chaccara and Patrick Reed to achieve this.

Hero Dubai Desert Classic: January 21–24, 2027, Emirates Golf Club. McIlroy will return to the Emirates Golf Club in January, seeking a record-extending fifth Dallah Trophy, confirming his participation in this event as part of the UAE's exciting winter golf programme.

Cricket

Abu Dhabi T10: November 7 to 20, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi. A revamped Abu Dhabi T10 competition will commence with five new franchises joining the reigning champions, UAE Bulls. Notable players include Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Amir.

DP World International League T20: November 22 to December 20, in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. The ILT20 has established itself as a major T20 league globally, attracting top talent. The introduction of a player auction has significantly benefited cricketers, particularly from the UAE, who now form the core of many teams. UAE's Muhammad Waseem attracted a record bid of $210,000, with approximately $1 million spent on local players, highlighting the focus on domestic talent.

Formula One

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: December 4-6, Yas Marina Circuit. Preparations are underway for the 2026 F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi. Despite Kimi Antonelli potentially having clinched the drivers’ title, the event promises excitement as the sport concludes a challenging year.

Football

Al Ain v Esteghlal, AFC Champions League Elite: November 23, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain. Iranian side Esteghlal faced challenges in their previous Asian Champions League fixture. They will now travel to Al Ain, who currently lead the Western standings with four consecutive wins.

Al Wasl v Al Ittihad, AFC Champions League Elite: December 7, Zabeel Stadium, Dubai. Al Wasl's match against Al Nassr was postponed due to logistical issues. Fellow Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad is scheduled to visit Dubai for what is anticipated to be a competitive encounter.

Combat Sports

RAF (Real American Freestyle) Abu Dhabi: November 14, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. UAE's MMA star Khamzat Chimaev will headline the event against Colby Covington for the Cruiserweight Crossover Championship. Russian fighters are confirmed to participate following earlier reports.

PFL: November 14, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai. The Professional Fighters League will host its second Dubai show of 2026, featuring a 15-fight card. This event marks their first in the UAE since merging with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). The main event will be a heavyweight world title bout between Vadim Nemkov and Sergei Bilostenniy.

Jake Paul v Cedric Doumbe (boxing): December 24, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai. Jake Paul is set to make his comeback in a cruiserweight boxing match against French mixed martial artist Cedric Doumbe on Christmas Eve. This eight-round contest at the Coca-Cola Arena follows Paul's previous knockout defeat due to a double jaw fracture.

Sailing

SailGP: Dubai (November 21-22) and Abu Dhabi (November 28-29). The global sailing championship SailGP returns to the UAE for its season finale, with back-to-back racing weekends in Dubai and Abu Dhabi determining the championship winner and awarding $4 million in prize money.

Rugby

Emirates Dubai 7s: November 27-29, The Sevens, Dubai. The 2026 event will expand its programme to include Gaelic football, alongside rugby, netball, cricket, fitness, and padel, making it the sixth sport featured. The HSBC SVNS Series remains the primary focus.