Dubai is set to host the second edition of the World Sports Summit on 28-29 December 2026, under the theme "Uniting the World Through Sport."
Organised by the Dubai Sports Council under the patronage of Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the summit is shaping up to be the largest and most comprehensive gathering of global sports leaders to date.
The annual summit will bring together athletes, decision-makers and industry specialists from across the world, positioning Dubai as a central force in shaping the future of international sport. Key agenda items include discussions on advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, and talent development, with organisers working to align summit themes with the rapidly evolving sports landscape.
The event will also feature the presentation of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award, recognising outstanding contributors to the global sports community.
The first edition set a high benchmark, drawing more than 1,500 sports figures including 200 international stars, and generating over 850 million digital interactions and 33.6 million live stream views. Notable attendees included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, tennis star Novak Djokovic, MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov and World Cup winners Ronaldo, Cafu and Didier Deschamps, among others.
The inaugural summit also produced significant institutional outcomes, including an agreement between FIFA and the Dubai Sports Council for an international awards ceremony, and a five-year strategic partnership with the International Volleyball Federation to establish Dubai as the permanent opening venue for the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship series.
With this second edition, Dubai continues to cement its reputation as a leading global sports destination, driving international collaboration and long-term development across the sporting sector.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
