Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ramadan Championship – Al Wathba 2026 Officially Inaugurated at Sheikh Zayed Festival
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: Under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the inaugural Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ramadan Championship – Al Wathba 2026 was officially inaugurated on Monday evening at the Sheikh Zayed Festival site in Al Wathba.
Held under the theme “From Roots to Sky,” the opening ceremony featured choreographed artistic performances celebrating Emirati heritage and the UAE’s deep-rooted sporting culture. The event reflected the country’s sustained leadership support for both amateur and professional athletics.
The ceremony incorporated advanced drone displays showcasing major milestones in the history of UAE sport, accompanied by fireworks and immersive visual effects that illuminated the festival grounds.
Exhibition Match Headlines Opening Night
A key highlight of the evening was an exhibition football match between “Ismail Matar’s Friends,” led by the renowned Emirati football icon Ismail Matar, and “Ali Al Habsi’s Friends,” captained by celebrated Omani goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi. The match featured several prominent former Arab footballers and drew enthusiastic support from spectators.
Record Participation Across 16 Sports
The organising committee confirmed that registrations across all disciplines have approached 5,000 participants. The football category reached its maximum capacity of 64 teams shortly after registration opened, selected from 80 applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
This year’s championship has expanded to include 16 sports, with cricket added in response to growing demand across the UAE. The comprehensive programme features:
- Football
- 3×3 Basketball
- Beach Volleyball
- Volleyball
- Tug of War
- Running
- Cycling
- Chess
- Jiu-Jitsu
- Judo
- Muay Thai
- Padel
- Table Tennis
- Badminton
- Emirati Motaraha (traditional wrestling)
- Cricket
AED10 Million in Prizes and Raffles
The total prize pool and raffle awards amount to AED10 million. Daily raffles for spectators allow each festival entry ticket to serve as an automatic entry into prize draws, including luxury vehicles, airline tickets, shopping vouchers, and entertainment packages.
Specialised awards include AED150,000 for excellence in media coverage and AED50,000 for the best fan photography shared via social media platforms.
Championship Schedule and Festival Timings
The championship will run from 23 February to 17 March 2026, corresponding to the 6th through the 28th of Ramadan.
Throughout the Holy Month, the Sheikh Zayed Festival will remain open daily from 5:30 PM to 2:00 AM, further reinforcing Al Wathba’s status as a leading destination for community sports and cultural engagement in the UAE.
