Dubai ties club reform to a $5bn sports economy plan

Dubai has launched a new Club Accelerators Programme as part of a wider push to strengthen the emirate’s sports economy and attract more investment into the sector. The programme is designed to transform sports clubs, improve sporting and institutional performance, attract capital and increase revenues under the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033.

The wider strategy targets an increase in annual sports-sector GDP contribution from AED 10.17 billion to AED 18.3 billion by 2033, equivalent to roughly $5 billion. It also aims to increase attendance at major sporting events from 1.67 million to more than 4.1 million a year. Dubai already hosts more than 400 local and international sporting events each year and around 100 training camps for clubs and national teams.

The Club Accelerators Programme sits within the clubs pillar of the broader 2033 strategy, which also covers participation, talent, events and economic contribution. The programme is intended to support both government and private sports clubs as part of their institutional and professional transformation.