Dubai: Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, Dubai is preparing to host the second edition of the 'World Sports Summit' from 28-29 December 2026 under the theme 'Uniting the World Through Sport.'
According to Emirates News Agency, the summit, organized by the Dubai Sports Council, will welcome leading figures, decision-makers, specialists, and stars from various sports. It aims to underscore its status as the largest gathering of elite athletes and experts specializing in diverse aspects of sports. The summit serves as a crucial platform for unifying efforts to shape the future of global sport.
In line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Sports Council has started outlining themes that reflect the summit's broad scope and impact. This year's summit is set to be the largest and most comprehensive of its kind, with leaders from the global sports community coming together as Dubai continues to play a pioneering role in designing the future of global sport.
Efforts focus on promoting mutual engagement and driving the development of the global sports sector through extensive collaboration and establishing a sustainable system. This objective is furthered by launching timely sports initiatives, building international partnerships, and boosting collective action.
The summit will also feature the crowning of sports stars selected for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award. Strategic themes are being chosen to adapt to rapid developments in sports, particularly in advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, and talent attraction and development.
The first edition of the summit saw participation from over 1,500 sports stars, officials, and decision-makers from across the globe, including 200 international stars, and generated over 33.6 million live stream views and 850 million digital interactions on social media platforms.
The World Sports Summit has quickly become an important global platform that supports Dubai's leadership as a global sports destination. It fosters dialogue and international cooperation in shaping the future of the sports sector.
The inaugural summit opened with a speech by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and featured global sports leaders and stars in various sessions. Notable figures included Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, UAE Minister of Sports Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, PSG President Nasser Al Khelaifi, MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, and other sports icons like Manny Pacquiao, Roberto Baggio, and Tony Parker. The sessions were moderated by Alessandro Del Piero and Rio Ferdinand.
During the summit, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, was honored with the 'Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Sports Award,' along with Arab and international sports stars such as Ons Jabeur, Viktor Axelsen, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Paolo Maldini, and Arshad Nadeem.
The first summit also marked the signing of an agreement between FIFA and the Dubai Sports Council for an international awards ceremony in Dubai. Additionally, a strategic partnership was established between the Dubai Sports Council and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) to host the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship series.