Abu Dhabi broadens sporting identity with global events and AI racing
From traditional equestrian pursuits to AI-powered autonomous competitions, Abu Dhabi is positioning sport as an economic and tourism driver while preparing to host the 47th FIDE Chess Olympiad in 2028.
Abu Dhabi’s evolving sporting landscape
Sport in Abu Dhabi has grown beyond standalone competitions to become a structured industry that contributes to economic activity and tourism. The capital has cultivated a broad calendar of events that spans combat and precision sports, endurance disciplines, motorsport and culturally rooted pursuits.
High-profile fixtures include the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, UFC events and the UAE Tour. These sit alongside traditional Emirati sports such as equestrianism, camel racing and falconry, reflecting a deliberate mix of heritage and international appeal.
Abu Dhabi has also been investing in next-generation competition formats. The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL), organised by ASPIRE—the grand challenges arm of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC)—is an example of the capital’s embrace of emerging technology. Alessandro Tucci, Executive Director, House of Grand Challenges at ASPIRE, said A2RL had established a platform for future-focused contests; its first race outside Abu Dhabi at Imola Circuit in Italy marked a step towards international expansion.
The capital’s role as a convenor of innovative events was underlined by Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025, which attracted more than 850 participants from over 60 countries across 11 disciplines over six days. These initiatives aim to position Abu Dhabi at the intersection of sport, technology and research.
Significant chess activity reinforces the city’s ambition to host major international sporting assemblies. Abu Dhabi is slated to host the 47th FIDE Chess Olympiad in 2028, along with the 4th FIDE Chess Olympiad for People of Determination and the 99th FIDE Congress. Hussein Abdullah Al-Khoury, President of the Abu Dhabi Chess Club, said sustained support for sport had helped to create a distinctive identity and to deepen sport’s economic contribution.
While Abu Dhabi has developed its own particular portfolio, the UAE’s overall sporting ecosystem is also evolving. Dubai continues to advance its calendar with events such as the Dubai World Cup and Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, and with professional teams making international breakthroughs.
Across the Emirates, officials stress a dual objective: to preserve local and maritime traditions—illustrated by organised events such as the Al Gaffal Race—while elevating their international profile. In Abu Dhabi’s case, the strategy links continuity of major events with targeted innovation in technology-led competition, seeking to attract participants, spectators and investment.
Source: WAM