The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is a premier women’s professional tennis tournament held in the capital, attracting top WTA players from around the world. Beyond the on-court action, the tournament offers fans a full sporting experience with fan zones, interactive activities, and exclusive hospitality, cementing its place as a highlight on the international tennis calendar and a celebration of world-class sport in the UAE. The field is shaping up with defending champion Belinda Bencic returning to chase another title alongside rising Filipina star Alexandra Eala, one of Asia’s most exciting young talents confirmed to compete.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Hero Dubai Desert Classic
When: Friday, January 23 to 25, 2026
Where: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the oldest running and most anticipated annual golf event in the Middle East, and this January 2026, it is celebrating its 37th year. Year after year, the prestigious event has brought together global golfing legends to celebrate the world-class sport backed with unmatched entertainment and hospitality.
This year, two-time PGA Tour winner Ryan Fox, three-time Major champion Pádraig Harrington, LIV Golf’s leading player Joaquín Niemann, 2023 Ryder Cup hero Nicolai Højgaard and rising star Tom McKibbin are all joining the already stellar field for the first Rolex Series event of the 2026 Race to Dubai.
Available from Friday, January 23 to 25, tickets are priced at Dhs695 on Friday and Dhs790 on Saturday and Sunday, making it an ideal option for friends and family looking to mix sport and socialising. Purchase your tickets here.
February
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
When: February 15 to 28, 2026 (WTA 1000 women’s tournament February 15–21 and ATP 500 men’s event February 23–28)
Where: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2026 is set to light up Dubai once again in 2026 in February at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. The tournament opens with a WTA 1000 women’s event from February 15 to 21, welcoming many of the game’s top-ranked stars, before the spotlight shifts to the ATP 500 men’s tournament from February 23 to 28. With thrilling night matches, a buzzing courtside atmosphere and a long legacy of legendary champions, it is a celebration of elite tennis that blends sporting excellence with Dubai’s unmistakable energy.
Tickets are already on sale for both the WTA 1000 and ATP 500 here.
The UAE Tour
When: Monday, February 16 to 22, 2026
Where: Across the UAE
The UAE Tour is the Middle East’s only UCI WorldTour cycling race, bringing the world’s top riders to the roads of the Emirates for a week of high-speed drama and iconic scenery. Spanning flat sprint stages, desert crosswinds and decisive mountain finishes like Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet, the race tests every aspect of a rider’s skill and strategy. With global stars, breathtaking backdrops and huge crowds lining the route, the UAE Tour has become a standout fixture on the international cycling calendar and a powerful showcase of the country’s growing sporting pedigree.
Spectators can freely watch from public roads along the route, which are open for fans to line up and cheer the cyclists. The race is also televised and streamed globally, so even if you can’t be roadside, you can follow every pedal stroke and breakaway from around the world. The route for the UAE tour is yet to be revealed, but you can stay tuned here.
March
Dubai World Cup
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Where: Meydan Race Course
Dubai World Cup is the world’s most spectacular race day, and it is back once again taking place on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at the iconic Meydan in Dubai. It is a highlight in the sporting and social calendar, where sporting excellence, fashion, entertainment, and fine dining mingle together, making it one of the UAE’s unmissable annual social events. The best horses, trainers, and jockeys from around the world descend to Dubai for a packed day of thrilling action all competing for a prize of There’s a whopping 30.5 million dollars up for grabs across nine world-class races.
Tickets to the Dubai World Cup 2026 are already on sale. You can pick from general admission and hospitality suites to VIP packages and private suites. Head here to book.
November
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
When: November 5 to 8, 2026
Where: Yas Links Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is one of the UAE’s premier golf spectacles, and it returns in early November as a marquee stop on the DP World Tour at the stunning Yas Links in Abu Dhabi. The tournament will see the top 70 players on the Race to Dubai rankings compete for a coveted spot in the season’s grand finale. The event blends elite sport with fan‑friendly experiences on and off the course, including entertainment zones, hospitality options, and activities for all ages, all against the dramatic backdrop of the Arabian Gulf.
Tickets can be purchased here. PS – General Admission is free on November 6 and 7.
DP World tour Championship
When: November 12 to 15, 2026
Where: Jumeirah Golf Estates
The DP World Tour Championship, Dubai is the grand finale of the European golf season, where the world’s best players tee off at Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course in a high-stakes showdown for the Race to Dubai title. Bringing together elite golf, dramatic final-round tension and a who’s-who of global stars, the tournament is where seasons are made, legacies are sealed and every shot counts.
The event is set against Dubai’s signature skyline and flawless fairways, blending championship sport with premium hospitality. It is easily one of the most prestigious and polished events on the international golfing calendar.
December
Emirates Rugby 7s
Emirates Dubai 7s tickets go on pre-sale this September
When: Thursday, November 27 to 29, 2026
Where: The Sevens Stadium
Emirates Dubai 7s is one of Dubai’s most iconic weekends and it returns to the The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29. At its heart, the tournament is part of the HSBC SVNS series, welcoming some of the world’s best rugby sevens teams to compete in front of a passionate Dubai crowd. But alongside the high-octane matches, spectators can expect live music across multiple stages, vibrant food and beverage experiences, and an atmosphere that has become a hallmark of the event.
Tickets last year went on pre-sale in September 2025. Add a reminder to your calendar, but you can also stay tuned to whatson.ae for all the updates.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026
When: Thursday, December 3, to Sunday, December 6, 2026
Where: Yas Marina Circuit
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is one of (if not, the biggest) sporting event of the calendar, and although we just about wrapped up 2025, fans are surely missing watching 20 cars ‘race around in circles for a long time’. Formula 1 roars back for the 2026 season with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6 to 8, kicking off a packed 24-race calendar.
The season finale lands in Abu Dhabi, promising a high-octane finish with plenty happening both on and off the track — including the after-race concerts. The 2026 race will be the 18th edition in Abu Dhabi and if you don’t want to miss the action, you might want to pre-register for tickets now (yes, really). By doing this, you will receive priority access or an early notification as soon as official tickets become available. It is a year away, but trust us, tickets sell out fast and you don’t want to be caught out. You can pre-register here.
PS. The performers for the After-Race concerts were announced as early as April 2025, so we can expect the performer’s names to drop around the same time this year. We’ll be bringing you all the updates and details as soon as they’re announced, so stay tuned.
Images: Getty Images, and supplied
