Dubai Games 2026 Set to Begin on February 12 with Global Teams

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, the seventh edition of Dubai Games will start on 12 February and continue until 15 February. The event has become one of the most important team sports competitions in the region and attracts strong participation from local and international teams.

Dubai Games 2026 is organised in official partnership with DP World. The Diamond Partners are DAMAC, Emirates Petroleum Company (Emarat), and Beyond Developments. The Gold Partners include Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, and Unilabs Middle East. The Dubai Sports Council is the Strategic Partner of the event. These partnerships show the strong support from major organisations to make the event successful and professionally managed.

For the third year in a row, the tournament will begin with the special Cities bonus challenge at Burj Khalifa on 11 February. All 56 teams taking part in the Battle of the Cities will compete in this opening challenge. This year marks the highest number of participating cities since the competition started. During the challenge, teams will climb the stairs of the world’s tallest building to earn 16 bonus points. These points will be added to their total score before the main Battle of the Cities begins.

The main competitions will officially start on 12 February with the Battle of the Government. On the first day, two rounds of the Men’s Battle of the Government will take place from 3:00pm. The teams that perform best will move forward to the finals, which will be held on 15 February. These challenges are designed to test teamwork, physical strength, endurance, and smart planning.

On 13 February, the third round of the Men’s Battle of the Government will be held at 3:00pm. Later in the evening at 6:40pm, the Battle of the Community will take place. In this category, 27 qualified teams, along with last year’s winner AJ Team, will compete across eight difficult obstacle zones. These zones are created to test cooperation, strength, speed, and decision-making skills under pressure.

The programme on 14 February will include the Women’s Battle of the Government starting at 9:00am, with 21 teams competing. Later that day at 3:00pm, two additional rounds of the Battle of the Cities will be held. The wide participation of international teams shows that Dubai Games is now recognised globally as one of the leading team-based sports competitions.

The final day on 15 February will begin at 8:00am with the Battle of the Juniors. In this event, 56 junior teams will compete in two rounds. The junior challenges are inspired by the adult competition but are adjusted to suit the age and abilities of younger participants, giving them a chance to experience competitive team sports in a safe environment.

The finals will then take place in the afternoon. The Women’s Battle of the Government final will start at 3:00pm, followed by the Men’s Battle of the Government final at 4:30pm. The Battle of the Community final will be held at 6:00pm. The tournament will end with the Battle of the Cities final at 7:30pm, followed by the awards ceremony.

The total prize money for Dubai Games 2026 exceeds AED 4 million. The prize pool will be shared among the top three teams in the Men’s and Women’s Government categories, the Community category, and the Juniors category. In the Battle of the Cities, the top 10 teams will receive prizes. This large reward highlights the importance and high level of competition in the tournament.

The Dubai Games Organising Committee said that the event continues to encourage community participation and promote active and healthy lifestyles. The 2026 edition follows the theme “Ignite, Unite, Battle,” which focuses on teamwork, planning, assigning roles clearly, and making the right decisions at the right time.

Dubai has built a strong reputation for hosting major international sporting events in a professional way. The Dubai Games not only strengthens the sports culture in the emirate but also creates a positive social impact and increases global recognition. Alongside the competitions, visitors can enjoy family-friendly activities and daily prize draws. Participants will have the opportunity to win one of three cars and other valuable prizes, making Dubai Games 2026 both a major sports event and a celebration for the whole community.