Dubai Sports Council (DSC) has launched the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033, which sets out a comprehensive vision for the future of Dubai’s sports sector.
The plan, launched by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of DSC, aims to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness, unlock its economic potential and lays out ambitious goals for Dubai to become the world’s top sporting city by 2033, said a WAM news agency report.
A special event was organised by the Dubai Sports Council at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex outlining the plan’s key pillars and objectives.
The event brought together local and international sports stars, industry officials, representatives of federations and academies, as well as a wide network of partners and organisers of sporting megaevents.
Sheikh Mansoor also unveiled Dubai’s new sports identity, which will serve as a unifying symbol for the emirate’s sporting ecosystem. Chosen from thousands of public submissions by designers and creatives, the new emblem represents the beginning of a new chapter for sport in Dubai, reflecting the city’s ambition to be among the world’s leading destinations for athletes, sporting events and innovation in sport.
Sheikh Mansoor emphasised that the launch of the plan reflects Dubai’s long-term commitment to building a world-class sports sector that nurtures talent, encourages community participation and drives sustainable industry growth.
“We have launched a comprehensive and forward-looking vision for the future of sport in Dubai, one that enhances the sector’s competitiveness, creates new opportunities, nurtures young talent and strengthens Dubai’s global reputation as a centre for sporting excellence,” he said.
“In the next phase, our focus will be on empowering both public and private clubs to reach international standards, expanding community participation and developing world-class facilities and infrastructure that reflect Dubai’s ambition and capability,” he added.
“Our goal is for Dubai to become the world’s leading destination for sports and athletes by building a sports ecosystem that is dynamic, innovative and internationally competitive,” Sheikh Mansoor further said.
The Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 is built around four main pillars: Community, Events, Clubs, and Talent. Overseen by the Dubai Sports Council, the plan’s 19 programmes and 75 initiatives are designed to enhance sports infrastructure, increase community participation, promote active lifestyles and nurture promising talent through world-class training and development systems.
The plan also identifies 17 priority sports within three categories: Emerging Sports, such as padel, combat sports and Esports, which are experiencing rapid growth; Community Sports, such as running and swimming, which encourage engagement and public health; and Sports with Global Reach, such as golf, cricket and basketball, which combine broad appeal with significant economic value.
By 2033, the plan aims to increase the contribution of the sports sector to Dubai’s GDP from AED10.17 billion to AED18.3 billion annually, grow the number of residents actively involved in sports from 1.6 million to 2.6 million, and raise attendance at major events hosted in Dubai each year from 1.67 million to 4.1 million participants.
Sheikh Mansoor affirmed that the Dubai Sports Council will work closely with partners across the public and private sectors to achieve the plan’s objectives, ensuring a more competitive and sustainable future for the sports industry. He added that the plan will make sport a key driver of Dubai’s growth, improving health, happiness and overall quality of life across the community.
“Sport is a fundamental pillar of Dubai’s vision for a vibrant and cohesive society. It promotes wellbeing, brings people together and inspires progress. We call on all entities and individuals to contribute to the success of this plan, ensuring Dubai continues to set new standards of quality and impact,” he added.
The Dubai Sports Council will introduce robust governance mechanisms to ensure the effective implementation of all programmes and initiatives. This includes the adoption of clear performance indicators and strengthened collaboration with government entities and the private sector to ensure project sustainability and maximise investment efficiency in sports infrastructure.
