Dubai’s 2033 Sports Plan aims to double its sports sector to $5bn, boost active residents to 2.6 million, and expand event attendance.
DUBAI: Dubai has launched an ambitious Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 aiming to double the sector’s economic contribution to AED18.3 billion ($5 billion) annually, and expand community participation in sports and physical activity across the emirate.
Unveiled by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, the new plan is structured around four key pillars—Community, Events, Clubs, and Talent—with 75 initiatives and 19 programmes designed to elevate Dubai’s status as a global sporting hub.
Under the plan, the number of residents actively participating in sport is expected to grow from 1.6 million to 2.6 million, while annual attendance at major sporting events is set to more than double to 4.1 million by 2033.
Launched at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, the announcement also introduced Dubai’s new official sports identity, chosen from thousands of public submissions, to represent the emirate’s diverse, dynamic, and inclusive sporting landscape.
Sheikh Mansoor said the strategy focuses on developing world-class facilities, empowering sports clubs, encouraging private sector involvement, and nurturing emerging talent. The plan is aligned with both the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, reinforcing sport as a pillar of wellbeing and economic diversification.
The 2033 plan highlights 17 priority sports, grouped into three categories:
- Emerging sports like padel, combat sports, and Esports
- Community sports like running and swimming
- Global sports like cricket, basketball, and golf
The strategy also supports investment in sustainable sports infrastructure, robust governance, and increased coordination with both public and private sector partners.
Scheduled to be showcased at the upcoming World Sports Summit in December, Dubai’s Sports Sector Strategic Plan further cements the city’s growing stature as a regional and global capital for sports excellence and innovation.
