Dubai is once again preparing to host the second edition of the prestigious World Sports Summit, once again set to become the focus of the worldwide sports community. The event will take place on December 28 and 29, 2026, with the inspiring theme “Uniting the World Through Sport”. Organised by Dubai Sports Council under the renowned sponsorship of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the summit is rapidly becoming as the world’s most complete gathering of athletes, sports executives and business professionals. By uniting the smartest minds in the industry, Dubai is positioning itself as a major role in shaping the future of global sports, driving innovation and creating opportunities for international collaboration for the long term.
Under the patronage of Hamdan bin Mohammed and the guidance of Mansoor bin Mohammed, Dubai will host the second ‘World Sports Summit’ on 28 to 29 December 2026 under the theme ‘Uniting the World Through Sport’. Organised by the Dubai Sports Council, the event will bring together… pic.twitter.com/LOTjHlT9E1
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 24, 2026
A strategic plan for the future of sport
The summit is held annually and aims to address the most pressing challenges in the rapidly changing world of sport. One of the primary subjects in the agenda of the 2026 edition will be in-depth lectures on the integration of cutting-edge technology and the revolutionary role of artificial intelligence in sports administration and athletic performance. A key feature of the conference is also a significant focus on talent development, providing a venue for industry professionals and decision-makers to explore techniques that will mold the next generation of sports greatness. The summit covers topics that are relevant to today’s global trends, and the organizers are working hard to ensure that each session provides useful information that sports organizations and federations worldwide may use.
Celebrating Excellence at World Awards
The two-day event will be topped with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award ceremony. The award is a prestigious international recognition of outstanding achievements by individuals who have made a significant contribution to the global sports community. The award not only recognizes past achievements but also inspires future generations of athletes and administrators to strive greatness by honoring those who succeed in their respective fields. The ceremony is expected to take place during the summit, bringing together luminaries of the game to pay tribute to the spirit of perseverance, ingenuity and fair play that defines the global sporting culture.
Following an unprecedented achievement
“The first edition of the World Sports Summit set a very high benchmark and also demonstrated Dubai’s ability to host top-class sports discussions. The first event was a big success with more than 1,500 famous athletes and 200 international celebrities in attendance. The digital impact of the event was just as extraordinary with over 850 million digital interactions and 33.6 million views of live streams globally. The first summit brought together a very special collection of individuals including World Cup winners Ronaldo, Cafu and Didier Deschamps, tennis great Novak Djokovic, MMA hero Khabib Nurmagomedov and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The second edition has seen a strong level of participation and the world is excited to see who will take the stage in Dubai in December.
Promoting strategic and institutional results
The World Sports Summit is not merely a place for discussion, but a true engine for institutional progress. The inaugural event has had major outcomes that have left a long-term mark on the international sports calendar. Key achievements included a five-year strategic partnership with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and a landmark FIFA-Dubai Sports Council deal to host an international awards ceremony. The partnership successfully cemented Dubai as the permanent opening destination for the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship series, demonstrating the city’s potential to turn high-profile meetings into permanent sports venues and events. These achievements are testimony to the summit’s role as a powerful engine of institutional development.
Dubai’s Global Sports Profile Soars
With the second edition, Dubai is cementing its rightful place as one of the best international sporting destinations. The summit is an important connection between stakeholders across geographies and sporting disciplines to make sure we all progress. By hosting this event, Dubai is not only showcasing its world class infrastructure, but also playing its part in the long term development of the sports sector. With the global community convening in Dubai in December, the focus will be on bringing people together through sport to ensuring that the legacy of these summits continues to benefit athletes, organisations and fans for years to come. It’s the not-to-be-missed coda to the 2026 sporting schedule for business leaders and sports fans alike.
