Emirates News Agency – Abu Dhabi to host Masters Games Series 2026

ABU DHABI, 23rd March, 2023 (WAM) – The International Masters Games Association (IMGA) announced today that Abu Dhabi has been awarded the hosting rights to organize the Masters Games Series – Abu Dhabi 2026 for Asia Pacific and Middle East has.

The event is held under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

The first-ever Middle East Masters Games will be held from March 23rd to April 1st, 2026. The multinational sporting event represents the UAE leadership’s support for the development of the sports sector and reaffirms the leadership’s willingness to welcome top international events and create opportunities for global reach and world peace.

Hosting the Games in the Arab world for the first time reinforces Abu Dhabi’s global position as a hub for leading events and the UAE’s commitment to promoting global sporting events.

The games consist of 30 sports and are open to all people of all skill levels from the age of 25.

The Games aim to encourage all Emiratis and expatriates to play sports, improve the physical and mental health of community members, bring together athletes of different generations, strengthen the sports ecosystem and develop sports facilities while promoting culture, heritage and traditions of the host country.

The UAE capital is expected to host between 5,000 and 10,000 athletes for nine days across a variety of sports including: basketball, 3X3 basketball, volleyball, jiu jitsu, muaythai, archery, badminton, weightlifting, table tennis, tennis, padel, athletics, squash, Football, ice hockey, cycling, obstacle course, shooting, swimming, golf, kayaking, rowing, sailing, falconry, camel racing, triathlon and futsal.

HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, confirmed that hosting the 2026 Masters Games Series in Abu Dhabi marks another success in the capital’s history as a venue for international events and is a testament to the vision and support of the wise leadership of the UAE is .

“The support of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was pivotal in Abu Dhabi being awarded the contract to host this global event. We are very proud to host this event and look forward to welcoming the world back to Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The upcoming event will be held in the Middle East for the first time, further reaffirming Abu Dhabi’s leadership in hosting major global sporting events,” he said.

“Such events fulfill various important goals as they involve thousands of athletes from all segments of UAE society and from around the world and demonstrate the UAE’s tolerance and openness to all cultures. With the support of our shrewd leadership, the state-of-the-art infrastructure we have built and our approach of implementing the highest professional standards, together we will be able to put on a great show for the whole world,” added Sheikh Nahyan.

HH Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed commended Abu Dhabi for winning the rights to host and organize the Masters Games Series – Abu Dhabi 2026. This new tournament marks a new addition to the already impressive list of world-class sporting events in the UAE and Abu Dhabi in particular. We owe this success to the guidance of our wise leadership and their insightful vision, he said.

“We are ready to give our full support and make it a success for the upcoming global event, which will be attended by thousands of athletes from all over the world, as Abu Dhabi, due to its central geographic location, is an ideal destination to host the upcoming competitions, in addition to its modern world-class facilities and infrastructure.

“More than just a global sporting event, the upcoming Games are a catalyst for improving the quality of life and offering opportunities for various members of society to compete alongside professionals and amateurs from different nations of the world. ” he explained.

Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development, stressed the importance of Abu Dhabi hosting this global event within the vision of wise leadership to build bridges of communication and promote community health through sport. “The UAE sees the initiatives of the sports sector as a way of life that has a positive impact on society as a whole, through its comprehensive efforts to uplift people and maintain their physical and mental health.”

She stated: “The choice of Abu Dhabi to host the Masters Games Series – Abu Dhabi 2026 will be a qualitative addition to the level of organization and an opportunity to highlight the authentic values ​​of the UAE country and culture. In addition to strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global destination in organizing and hosting important community and sporting events embodied in the various Masters Games. The event brings together different cultures and peoples of different ages under one roof.”

dr Mugheer Al Khaili, Chair of the Department of Community Development, expressed his delight at the news that Abu Dhabi is hosting the Masters Games Series – Abu Dhabi 2026. It’s another notable addition to the list of major sporting events hosted in the capital, reflecting its preparedness in terms of sports facilities and infrastructure, he said.

“We try very hard to make sport a way of life for members of society and to make our society active and responsible, whether it is by hosting sports and world championships or by organizing them by involving individuals and making them active.” stressed dr. Al Khaili.

He also pointed to the crucial role of sport in breaking down societal barriers and bringing all communities together while improving the overall quality of life. In addition, the economic impact has proven to be enormous.