Dubai’s annual test of teamwork and stamina returns this week, with the seventh edition of the Dubai Games taking place from February 12 to 15.
Held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, the event will bring together 239 teams and more than 1,600 athletes across several categories. Organisers have confirmed a prize fund of more than AED4 million.
The programme begins a day earlier, on February 11, with the Cities bonus challenge at Burj Khalifa. For the third year in a row, teams will race up the tower’s staircase for bonus points ahead of the main Battle of the Cities competition. A total of 56 city teams are entered, the highest number since the format was introduced.
Competition proper starts on February 12 with the Men’s Battle of the Government, which will be decided over a series of heats before the finals on February 15.
The schedule expands on February 13 with a further men’s government heat and the Battle of the Community. Twenty-seven qualifying teams, along with defending champions AJ Team, will contest eight obstacle zones designed to test coordination and decision-making.
Women’s government teams take centre stage on February 14, with 21 sides competing from the morning, followed by additional heats in the Cities category.
Finals day on February 15 begins with the Battle of the Juniors, featuring 56 teams across two heats. The junior course mirrors the adult format but is adapted for age.
The women’s and men’s government finals, the Community final and the Cities final will follow through the afternoon and evening, before the closing ceremony.
Prize money will be shared among the top three teams in the Government, Community and Juniors categories, and the top 10 in the Cities event.
The Dubai Games, backed by the Dubai Sports Council and a range of commercial partners, have grown steadily since their launch, with entries now spanning government entities, community groups, junior teams and international city squads. Alongside the competition, organisers have planned family activities and daily draws during the four-day event.
