Sheikh Mansoor Launches Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 to Position Emirate as World’s Leading Sporting City

Dubai, The Gulf Observer: His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), on Thursday launched the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033, outlining a comprehensive vision for the future of Dubai’s sports industry. The plan aims to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness, unlock its economic potential, and position Dubai as the world’s top sporting city by 2033.

The plan was unveiled during a special event organized by the Dubai Sports Council at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, which brought together local and international sports stars, industry leaders, representatives of federations and academies, and organizers of global sporting events.

During the event, Sheikh Mansoor also unveiled Dubai’s new sports identity, a unifying symbol for the emirate’s sporting ecosystem. The emblem, selected from thousands of public submissions by designers and creatives, reflects Dubai’s ambition to be a global hub for athletes, sporting events, and innovation in sport.

In his remarks, Sheikh Mansoor said the launch of the plan reflects Dubai’s long-term commitment to developing a world-class sports sector that nurtures talent, encourages community participation, and drives sustainable 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 center for sporting excellence,” he stated.

He added that the next phase will focus on empowering public and private clubs, expanding community participation, and developing world-class facilities that embody Dubai’s ambition and capability.

“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,” he affirmed.

The Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 is structured around four main pillars — Community, Events, Clubs, and Talent. Under the supervision of the Dubai Sports Council, it includes 19 programmes and 75 initiatives designed to enhance sports infrastructure, increase participation, promote active lifestyles, and nurture promising athletes through world-class training and development systems.

The plan also identifies 17 priority sports across three categories:

• Emerging Sports such as padel, combat sports, and Esports, reflecting rapid growth;
• Community Sports such as running and swimming, promoting engagement and public health; and
• Sports with Global Reach such as golf, cricket, and basketball, offering wide appeal and high economic impact.

By 2033, the plan seeks to:

• Increase the sports sector’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP from AED 10.17 billion to AED 18.3 billion annually;
• Grow the number of active residents from 1.6 million to 2.6 million; and
• Raise annual attendance at major sports events from 1.67 million to 4.1 million participants.

Sheikh Mansoor reaffirmed that the Dubai Sports Council will collaborate closely with partners in both the public and private sectors to realize the plan’s objectives.

“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 said.

He also directed that the objectives of the new strategic plan and Dubai’s sports identity be showcased during the upcoming World Sports Summit, set to take place in Dubai at the end of December. The summit will convene international sports stars, decision-makers, and representatives of global federations and institutions.

The Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 aligns with the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

In line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, the plan seeks to build an integrated sports system that promotes community development, competitive excellence, and effective governance, keeping pace with Dubai’s rapid development and global trends in the sports industry.

The Dubai Sports Council will implement robust governance mechanisms to monitor progress through clear performance indicators, ensuring sustainability and investment efficiency in sports infrastructure.

The Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 reaffirms the emirate’s commitment to fostering a healthy, active, and sustainable society, solidifying its status as the region’s sports capital and a global destination for athletes, investors, and innovators. It further enhances Dubai’s ranking in global happiness and quality-of-life indices, underscoring the city’s vision of sport as a cornerstone of wellbeing and progress.