By Staff Reporter
DUBAI – Dubai will host the second edition of the World Sports Summit on December 28-29, 2026, bringing together leading athletes, sports officials and industry experts from around the world to discuss the future of global sport.
The summit, organised by the Dubai Sports Council under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will be held under the theme “Uniting the World Through Sport.”
Organisers said the event is expected to be the largest gathering of international sports leaders hosted in Dubai, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a global hub for sports development and innovation.
The two-day summit will focus on key issues shaping the future of sport, including artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, talent development and strategies to strengthen international cooperation across the sector.
A highlight of the event will be the presentation of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award, which honours individuals and organisations for outstanding contributions to global sport.
The inaugural summit attracted more than 1,500 participants, including 200 international sports stars, and generated significant global engagement through digital platforms and live broadcasts. Attendees included Gianni Infantino, Novak Djokovic, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ronaldo, Cafu and Didier Deschamps.
The first summit also produced several strategic outcomes, including a cooperation agreement between FIFA and the Dubai Sports Council, as well as a five-year partnership with the International Volleyball Federation to establish Dubai as the permanent opening venue of the Beach Volleyball World Championship series.
Officials said the 2026 edition will further strengthen Dubai’s reputation as a leading international sports destination while promoting innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth across the global sporting industry.
Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM).
