6 Abu Dhabi sports activities occasions to attend in 2023

Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

The main points: 19-22 January, europeantour.com

The primary Rolex Sequence occasion of the 2023 DP World Tour will little doubt see defending champion Thomas Pieters make spectacular work of the Yas Hyperlinks Abu Dhabi course – however with former winners Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood competing too, can he retain his title? Regardless of its stellar line-up, common admission to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is free on all 4 days (although you’ll must guide tickets prematurely), because the gamers battle it out for a US$9 million (£7.48 million) prize. It takes place each January, and this 12 months’s match might be preceded by Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Hero Cup, on 13-15 January.

Flying excessive: look out for meet and greets alongside the Abu Dhabi NBA fixtures Credit score : Division of Tradition and Tourism Abu Dhabi

NBA Abu Dhabi Video games 2023

The main points: Dates TBC (seemingly October), nbaexperiences.com/nba-abu-dhabi-games-2023

In a sporting slam-dunk, Abu Dhabi hosted its first NBA matches in October 2022 – and the fixture is about to be even larger and higher in 2023. In addition to two pre-season matches at Etihad Area, look out for meet-and-greets and memorabilia signings with the gamers, plus behind-the-scenes excursions and an opportunity to hang around with basketball’s greats on the NBA Legend dinner. The competing groups are but to be introduced, however final 12 months’s video games starred the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks.

Struggle Island: get able to rumble on the Abu Dhabi Showdown Week Credit score : Division of Tradition and Tourism Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Showdown Week

The main points: Dates TBC (seemingly October), ufc.com

UFC, the world’s premier ​​combined martial arts organisation, will return to the UAE capital in 2023 for a week-long pageant of fights, health workshops and fan occasions. Final 12 months’s headline bout noticed Light-weight champion Makhachev quash Oliveira’s 11-fight successful streak in dramatic model, in entrance of a thousands-strong crowd in Etihad Area on Yas Island – recognized within the sport as ‘Struggle Island’. The 2023 line-up is TBC, however anticipate fireworks aplenty, with the prospect to fulfill the champions, get professional suggestions and win official memorabilia on the ​​UFC Fan Expertise zone.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: come for the racing, keep for the after-race occasions Credit score : Division of Tradition and Tourism Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The main points: 23-26 November, grandprixevents.com/abu-dhabi-grand-prix

The scream of record-breaking engines, the pop of champagne corks, the epic gigs by among the world’s prime performers: the Grand Prix isn’t only a fittingly flash finale to the F1 season, it’s a fixture on Abu Dhabi’s leisure scene, too. 2022 noticed defending champion Max Verstappen seize his fifteenth win of the 12 months, alongside after-race concert events by Swedish Home Mafia, Dave and Def Leppard. For premium views, guided observe excursions and all-inclusive hospitality, deal with your self to a VIP package deal (from £1,080).

Star present: the Mubadala World Tennis Championship performs host to the game’s best gamers Credit score : Division of Tradition and Tourism Abu Dhabi

Mubadala World Tennis Championship

The main points: Dates TBC (seemingly December), mubadalawtc.com

The likes of Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Roger Federer have clashed at this star-studded match, held at Zayed Sport Metropolis’s state-of-the-art Worldwide Tennis Centre. Count on three days of nail-biting matches that includes the world’s prime tennis abilities, held on afternoons and evenings on sunny winter days – with tickets from simply AED95 (£21.50). There’s a actual pageant ambiance, with meals vans, fringe leisure and participant occasions akin to memorabilia signings and Q&As.

Abu Dhabi Marathon: full the complete 26.2 miles or rope some mates in to a relay Credit score : Getty

ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon

The main points: Dates TBC (seemingly December), adnocabudhabimarathon.com

Town’s annual marathon attracts among the world’s quickest beginner runners, all competing for prizes price as much as US$50,000 (£41,587) – and you could possibly be part of them too. The course runs proper previous a lot of Abu Dhabi’s most well-known landmarks, together with Al Bateen Palace and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and alongside the beach-lined Corniche. Don’t fancy tackling the complete 26.2 miles? There’s additionally a marathon relay possibility for groups of two, plus 10km, 5km and a couple of.5km occasions.