Welcome to the Sport Industry Forum
24-25 November 2026, W Hotel Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
The Sport Industry Forum is the leading sports business conference in the Middle East, bringing together 250+ attendees from all levels of sport – from grassroots through to elite.
Backed by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Department of Community Development, the Forum offers insider access to government projects, brand partnerships and industry innovations.
Engaging, interactive discussions drive real business opportunities and lasting impact, making it the must-attend event for professionals shaping the future of sports in the region.
2026 speakers
See below for this year’s speakers.
Welcome to Abu Dhabi
Conference Agenda
View the 2026 agenda themes below.
🏛️ Public Policy, Sports Strategy & Health Outcomes
- UAE National Sports Strategy 2031: Progress and priorities
- Abu Dhabi Sports Council on its priorities for the year ahead
- Sport as a tool for health outcomes: Prevention starts with movement
🌍 Destinations, Global Properties & Brand Partnerships
- Destination building & purpose-driven sport: From tour level sponsorship to community impact
- Building Abu Dhabi’s sporting calendar: International visitors, participation and brands
- Cricket’s next chapter: The Olympic return, new markets and growing the global game
- Brand partnerships on the world’s leading sports properties: Choosing, activating, measuring
💰 Regional Growth incuding Saudi: Federations, Venues & Markets
- Building Saudi Arabia’s sports economy: strategy, venues, operators and commercial value
- Developing a new sports federation: From elite competition to community engagement
- Beyond the medals: Building the future of elite sport
📊 AI & Technology
- AI in practice: What actually works in sport businesses
- Growing a social brand at scale
📈 Brands, Sponsorship & Retail
- The business of global cricket: how federations and brands build value together
- High performance: culture, customers and execution in sports retail
🚴♀️ Women's Sport, Participation & Governance
- Commercialising women’s sport: where the value is and how to unlock it
- Growing the game: participation, pathways and mass engagement
- Integrity, compliance and commercial gaming: the regulated frontier
🎭 Making Venues Work All Year: Live Experiences, Sport and Commercial Return
- Filling the calendar between marquee events: combining sport, music, entertainment and community use
- Designing atmosphere and fan experience for a multinational audience
⚽ Leadership & Disrupting the Sport of Football
- From the podium to the boardroom: elite athlete leadership lessons
- Disrupting UAE football: private clubs, academies and modern pyramids
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Our Partners.
Discover the partners who have joined forces with The Sport Industry Forum to foster an interactive and exclusive event.
Officially supported by:
AV Partner
Technology Partner
Branding Partner:
Organising Partner
