Dubai is positioning itself as a winter meeting point for the global sports world as the inaugural World Sports Summit opens this week under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. Organised by the Dubai Sports Council, the two-day event runs on 29 and 30 December at Madinat Jumeirah and brings together more than 1,500 participants from across the international sports industry.
The summit gathers elite athletes, federation leaders, club executives and policymakers, with headline appearances from Novak Djokovic, Ronaldo Nazario and Gianni Infantino. Framed around the theme “Uniting the World Through Sport”, the event aims to explore the future of global sport while reinforcing Dubai’s role as a destination for major international gatherings.
Dubai’s growing appeal as a global sports hub
Dubai’s choice as host is no accident. Over the past decade, the city has steadily invested in positioning itself as a crossroads for sport, culture and business, using its global connectivity, winter climate and established events infrastructure to attract international audiences.
According to His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, the summit is designed to be more than a conference. “The World Sports Summit will bring together in Dubai the most prominent decision-makers from sports organisations, international federations, major clubs and companies operating in the sports industry, as well as champions, stars and coaches,” said Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
He added: “This global gathering will include dialogue sessions, workshops, seminars and numerous meetings that will shed light on the current state of global sports, the challenges it faces, its development prospects and promising opportunities.” The aim, he said, is to develop initiatives that support the growth of sport worldwide while inspiring future generations.
For travellers, the summit underscores how Dubai increasingly blends high-profile events with destination appeal. Hosting the sports world at Madinat Jumeirah places delegates amid one of the city’s most recognisable resort complexes, set against waterways, beaches and views of the Burj Al Arab, reinforcing the idea that business, leisure and spectacle can coexist.
Star power, dialogue and a destination-driven experience
The programme reflects the summit’s ambition to balance inspiration with policy discussion. The first day opens with a speech by His Excellency Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, followed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s address, titled “The Next 90 Minutes”. His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports in Bahrain, also delivers a keynote speech.
Panels and sessions bring global sporting figures into conversation, including Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic, Tunisian champion Ons Jabeur and Spanish player Paula Badosa. Football features prominently, with a discussion led by His Excellency Nasser Al Khelaifi, President of Paris Saint-Germain and Chairman of the European Club Association, moderated by former England striker Peter Crouch.
The day continues with appearances by Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and former world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, followed by sessions with former NBA players and current sports executives Tamika Termaglio, Terry Smith, Michelle Roberts and Danita Johnson. The opening day concludes with a panel featuring Brazilian football icon Ronaldo Nazario, a two-time World Cup winner whose global profile mirrors the summit’s international ambitions.
The second day expands the scope further, beginning with a session led by Mixed Martial Arts star Khabib Nurmagomedov on the future of combat sports, moderated by Rio Ferdinand. Football history and family legacy take centre stage in a session featuring Roberto Baggio, his daughter Valentina Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero, while American football stars Reggie Bush, Baron Davis, Marquez Colston and Swin Cash discuss the transition from playing careers to sports management.
Another session explores the growing relationship between sport, fashion and global branding, featuring Jamie Wynne of Jimmy Choo, American football player Victor Cruz and Michael Utley of AC Milan. The summit closes with a focus on basketball’s EuroLeague, with contributions from His Excellency Abdullah Al Naboodah of Dubai Basketball Club, Tony Parker and EuroLeague CEO Paulios Mottijonas.
Beyond the summit halls, Dubai’s sporting calendar continued at pace with the 16th BEYOND Developments GLOBE SOCCER Awards, held on Sunday evening at Atlantis The Royal. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended the ceremony, which brought together world football’s most celebrated players, executives, legends and emerging talents.
During the evening, Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé was crowned Best Men’s Player for the first time, while FC Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí made history by being named Best Women’s Player for a third consecutive year. More than 20 awards were presented across the night, reflecting the global reach and growing influence of the Dubai-hosted event.
It was a dominant year for Paris Saint-Germain, who were named Best Men’s Club after winning the UEFA Champions League and Super Cup, Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France. Individual honours followed for Luis Enrique as Best Coach, Vitinha as Best Midfielder, Désiré Doué as Emerging Player, Luis Campos as Best Sporting Director and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi as Best President.
FC Barcelona also featured prominently. Alongside Bonmatí’s historic achievement, the club won the Best Women’s Club award, while 18-year-old Lamine Yamal claimed both the Best Forward prize and the Maradona Award. The ceremony also recognised career achievements, with awards presented to Andrés Iniesta and former Japan international Hidetoshi Nakata.
A moment of reflection came with a tribute to Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July alongside his brother Andre Silva. A special award was presented to his parents in recognition of his career and impact on the game.
Additional honours on the night went to Jorge Mendes as Best Agent, Portugal as Best National Team, Paul Pogba with the Comeback Award, Los Angeles Football Club for Best Club Branding, Nicoletta Romanazzi as Best Mental Coach and Right to Dream as Best Academy. Nine core categories were decided through votes cast by more than 30 million fans worldwide, before final winners were confirmed by a jury that included Marcello Lippi, Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas and Luis Figo.
Reflecting on the event, Tommaso Bendoni, Founder and CEO of GLOBE SOCCER, said: “The 16th GLOBE SOCCER Awards delivered an unforgettable celebration of football, bringing together the world’s greatest players, coaches, executives and legends in Dubai. This year’s winners represent excellence at the very highest level of the game, and we are proud to honour their achievements on a global stage.”
He added: “The incredible engagement from fans, alongside the expertise of our distinguished jury, once again demonstrated the unique spirit of the GLOBE SOCCER Awards.”
The evening also highlighted Spain’s LALIGA EA SPORTS, which presented its 2024–2025 season awards. FC Barcelona’s Raphinha, Hansi Flick and Lamine Yamal were named Best Player, Best Coach and Best Emerging Player respectively, while Real Sociedad’s Luka Sučić won Best Goal and Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak received the Best Save award.
Together, the summit and the awards ceremony underline how Dubai is weaving sport into its broader destination narrative. From policy discussions and leadership forums to red-carpet ceremonies attended by the game’s biggest names, the city is positioning itself as a place where sport is debated, celebrated and showcased on a global stage.
For travellers, the message is increasingly clear. Winter in Dubai now offers more than sunshine and luxury hotels; it offers access to the ideas, personalities and events shaping global sport. As international calendars grow ever more crowded, Dubai is carving out a role not just as a host, but as a meeting ground where sport, culture and travel intersect.
Photo credit: 2025 GDMO
