Middle East Sporting Events 2025
The Middle East is set for another exciting year of world-class sporting action in 2025, attracting elite athletes and passionate fans from around the globe. Whether you are a motorsport enthusiast, a golf follower, a tennis fan, or an esports gamer, the region offers a packed calendar of top-tier events.
From the high-speed drama of Formula 1 to the endurance challenges of marathons and triathlons, here’s everything you need to know about the biggest sporting events happening across the Middle East in 2025.
Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s Sporting Capital
JANUARY
Dubai Marathon
- Location: Dubai
- Dates: Sunday January 12, 2025
- Why Attend? A premier running event featuring elite and amateur runners competing on a scenic course through Dubai’s modern cityscape.
Hero Dubai Desert Classic (Golf)
- Location: Emirates Golf Club
- Dates: 16 – 19 January 2025
- Why Attend? The longest-running golf tournament in the Middle East, attracting some of the best global players.
Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo
- Location: AlUla
- Dates: 18 January 2025
- Why Attend? A prestigious desert polo event featuring international players competing in a unique setting amidst Saudi Arabia’s breathtaking landscapes.
Bahrain: The Motorsport Powerhouse
Bahrain Championship (Golf)
- Location: Royal Golf Club
- Dates: 30 January – 2 February 2025
- Why Attend? A key event in the DP World Tour featuring top golfers competing in the Middle East’s growing golf scene.
AlUla Tour (Cycling)
- Location: AlUla
- Dates: 28 January – 1 February 2025
- Why Attend? Saudi Arabia’s premier UCI World Tour event, featuring elite cyclists competing across challenging desert terrain.
FEBRUARY
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (Tennis)
- Location: Zayed Sports City
- Dates: 1 – 8 February 2025
- Why Attend? A WTA-500 event featuring some of the world’s top-ranked female tennis stars, with tickets starting at just Dhs25.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (ATP & WTA)
- Location: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Garhoud
- Dates: 25 February – 1 March 2025
- Why Attend? Witness some of the world’s biggest tennis stars, including Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev, battling for the title.
Burj2Burj Half Marathon
- Location: Dubai
- Dates: 9 February 2025
- Why Attend? A unique half-marathon connecting Dubai’s two iconic landmarks, the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience.
Qatar: Football and Motorsport Central
FIFA Arab Cup
- Location: Various venues in Qatar
- Dates: December 2025 (Exact dates TBC)
- Why Attend? A highly competitive football tournament featuring 16 of the top Arab Qatar Open (WTA Tennis)
- Location: Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex
- Dates: 9 – 15 February 2025
UFC Fight Night
- Location: anb Arena, Riyadh
- Date: 1 February 2025
- Why Attend? A highly anticipated event featuring top MMA fighters, including Israel Adesanya and Michael Page.
MARCH
-
APRIL
Dubai World Cup (Horse Racing)
- Location: Meydan Racecourse
- Date: 5 April 2025
- Why Attend? One of the richest horse races in the world, with a prize fund of $30.5 million (approximately Dhs110 million).
Bahrain Grand Prix (Formula 1)
- Location: Bahrain International Circuit
- Dates: 11 – 13 April 2025
- Why Attend? A thrilling night race and one of the most exciting rounds of the F1 season, featuring an electrifying atmosphere.
MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix
- Location: Lusail International Circuit
- Dates: 11 – 13 April 2025
- Why Attend? A must-watch for motorsport fans, showcasing the world's best motorbike racers competing under Qatar’s famous floodlights.
MAY
-
JUNE
-
JULY
Esports World Cup
- Location: Boulevard City, Riyadh
- Dates: July – August 2025
- Why Attend? The world’s largest esports event, featuring tournaments in multiple gaming genres, live entertainment, and global gaming talent.
AUGUST
Saudi Arabia: A Growing Sports Hub
AlUla Desert Blaze (Marathon & Endurance Race)
- Location: AlUla
- Dates: August 2025 (Exact dates TBC)
- Why Attend? A challenging endurance race set against the breathtaking landscapes of Saudi Arabia’s UNESCO-listed sites.
SEPTEMBER
-
OCTOBER
-
NOVEMBER
Abu Dhabi Championship (Golf)
- Location: Yas Links Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
- Dates: 6 – 9 November 2025
- Why Attend? A key event on the DP World Tour, featuring the top 70 players on the Race to Dubai Rankings, all competing for a place in the season-ending championship.
Dubai: The Region’s Sporting Playground
Dubai T100 Triathlon
- Location: Meydan Racecourse
- Dates: 15 – 16 November 2025
- Why Attend? A grueling 100km endurance race combining swimming, cycling, and running, open to both professionals and amateurs.
DP World Tour Championship (Golf)
- Location: Jumeirah Golf Estates
- Dates: 13 – 16 November 2025
- Why Attend? The grand finale of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, featuring the top 50 golfers competing for the championship title.
Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix
- Location: Mina Zayed
- Dates: 29 – 30 November 2025
- Why Attend? A premier sailing event featuring high-speed hydro foiling F50 catamarans, with teams competing in picturesque Arabian Gulf waters.
FIFA U-17 World Cup
- Location: Across Qatar
- Dates: 5 – 27 November 2025
- Why Attend? A showcase of the next generation of football stars, with 48 teams competing in an expanded format.
Qatar Grand Prix (Formula 1)
- Location: Lusail International Circuit
- Dates: 28 – 30 November 2025
- Why Attend? The penultimate race of the F1 season, featuring high-speed action and an exciting entertainment programme.
DECEMBER
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Formula 1)
- Location: Yas Marina Circuit
- Dates: 5 – 7 December 2025
- Why Attend? The thrilling season finale of the F1 calendar, promising high-speed action on the track and nightly concerts from international artists.
- Why Attend? One of the most prestigious tennis events in the region, attracting top-ranked WTA players.
WWE Premium Live Event
- Location: Saudi Arabia (Venue TBC)
- Dates: TBC
- Why Attend? A blockbuster wrestling event featuring WWE’s biggest superstars, continuing the company’s long-term partnership with Saudi Arabia.
The Middle East is set to deliver another spectacular line-up of sporting events in 2025, covering everything from motorsport and golf to football, tennis, and esports. Whether you plan to attend in person or watch from home, these events offer world-class entertainment and unforgettable moments.
Mark your calendar, book your tickets early, and be part of the excitement as the region hosts some of the most prestigious sporting spectacles on the planet.
For ideas and inspiration click the link below, email hello@inkerman.co.uk or call us on 01892 752211
Corporate Gift Gallery
