Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2026 to return to Mubadala Arena under Sheikh Hazza’s patronage

The UAE Judo Federation has confirmed organisational arrangements for the 12th Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, to be held at Mubadala Arena from 29–31 October 2026 under IJF supervision.

Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2026 set for Mubadala Arena

The UAE Judo Federation has announced the framework for hosting the 12th Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, which will take place at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City from 29 to 31 October 2026. The tournament, organised under the supervision of the International Judo Federation (IJF), will be staged under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region.

Mohammed bin Thaaloob Al Darei, President of the UAE Judo Federation and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, said the championship’s long-standing patronage has been instrumental in its development and international standing. He highlighted that this edition marks 16 years since the competition’s launch in 2009 and that the federation has approved detailed organisational measures to maintain the event’s high standards.

Preparations for the three-day event include the establishment of technical and organisational committees to ensure that competition requirements are comprehensively met and that the arrival and accreditation of participating national teams are facilitated. The federation emphasised its continuing commitment to providing a platform that supports the development of judo in the UAE and offers competitive experience for the national team.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam remains a key stop on the IJF calendar, attracting top judokas and national teams from around the world. The federation has noted a rising number of international entries registered through the IJF’s official platform, underscoring the tournament’s status among elite events. Beyond medals and titles, the competition offers athletes the chance to accumulate further Olympic qualification points.

Officials said the championship serves not only as a sporting contest but also as a forum for cultural exchange, promoting values such as discipline, respect and mutual understanding. Staging the Grand Slam at Mubadala Arena continues Abu Dhabi’s role in hosting world-class sporting events and contributes to the emirate’s broader sports calendar for 2026.

With less than two months to the tournament, the organising committee’s focus will be on finalising logistics, ensuring technical standards are upheld and supporting participating delegations to deliver a smoothly run championship that sustains the event’s legacy.

Source: https://www.wam.ae/en/article/c2cbp0i-uae-judo-federation-announces-arrangements-for-abu