Whether you like tennis or golf, horse racing or football, you’ll find a tournament for you among the biggest sporting events in the Middle East for 2022.
Did someone say Qatar World Cup? Football might be getting all the attention, but some of the world’s biggest sporting events are set to descend on the Middle East over the next 12 months.
Qatar World Cup is not until December 2022. Which means we’ve got 11 months to fill with great sporting events.
There’s plenty more to entertain you. So whether you’re an avid sports fan, casual follower, a sofa-sitting sports commentator, or just like any excuse to go to the pub get these events into your diary.
From our doorstep in Dubai to a short drive or flight away, here’s a rundown of all the major sporting events to look forward to in the Middle East in 2022.
Jump to:
Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Bahrain
DUBAI
Dubai Desert Classic
Over the years we’ve known many a non-golf fan who have rated a day at the golf as one of Dubai’s best days out. Walking around in all that greenery, a general buzz of excitement, hospitality tents. Chuck in the best of the best of the pro tour and there is a lot to like about the Dubai Desert Classic. Local favourite and former winner McIlroy has already confirmed he will play and Colin Morikawa, Sergio Garcia and defending champion Paul Casey are also included in a field that will no doubt have more of the game’s current stars.
Free. January 27-30, 2022. Emirates Golf Club, Emirates Hills, slyncdubaidesertclassic.com.
You might like: Dubai’s best restaurants 2021
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Television can’t prepare you for how fast, accurate and powerful professional tennis players are. The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships has seen the greats of the game over the years and while we’re not yet sure who will be taking to the court it’s sure to be the leading players in the world right now. We’re especially hoping to see a Dubai debut for Emma Raducanu. The rising star has said one of her best friends lives in Dubai so we’re crossing our fingers a Dubai stop is in her plans. Even if you don’t go courtside to watch the action the annual caravan of entertainment, meet the player sessions, coaching and retail is worth a look at next to the Irish Village.
Tickets TBA. February 14-26, 2022. Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud, dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com.
Dubai World Cup
With the glittering finale of the Dubai World Cup scheduled for March 26, that’s not all horse racing enthusiasts have to look forward to. The 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival kicks off on January 13 and ends with Super Saturday on March 5, with the addition of new races increasing the total prize money for the racing season to more than $40 million. Meanwhile, the prize money for the Dubai World Cup, now stands at a value of $30.5 million. Due to take place on Saturday March 26, 2022, all races will be run for at least US$ 1 million. Think thoroughbred horses, high fashion, and a deliciously extravagant day out at the races.
Tickets TBA. January 13-March 26. dubairacingclub.com.
DP World Tour Championship, Dubai
It’s exciting times ahead with DP World having become the new title sponsor of the European Tour group’s main tour from the 2022 season, with a new minimum $2m prize fund for each tournament. Dubai will be the host of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
Tickets TBA, November 17-20. Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, europeantour.com
Dubai Rugby Sevens
While the 2022 season of the Rugby Sevens kicked off in Dubai in early December 2021, there’s plenty to look forward to when the tournament rolls back around in a year’s time with a festival experience promised to all visitors. It’s more than just the sport: from fashion and delicious food and drink on offer, it’s a day (or more!) out with your mates that you won’t want to miss.
Tickets TBA. December 1-3. The Sevens Stadium. dubairugby7s.com
UAE T20 League (UAET20)
Great news for cricket lovers in the UAE, and especially those fans of the T20 format: the UAE T20 League has been revealed for 2022, with six franchise teams (as yet unannounced) set to compete across a 34-match event. It’s likely we will see fan favourites return but watch this space for more.
Tickets TBA. February-March. Venues TBC. emiratescricket.com
ABU DHABI
Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is having a few firsts in 2022: it’s being held on Yas Island for the first time and is also allowing free general admission. This tournament also marks the first of the Rolex Series in the new year. Colin Morikawa and Rory McIlroy have already confirmed their presence and will continue to play in the Dubai Desert Classic just a few days later. Dubai-born Josh Hill will join them in the UAE capital after winning the Abu Dhabi Amateur Championship.
Free. January 20-23. Yas Links, Abu Dhabi. europeantour.com.
NBA games, Abu Dhabi
In a slam-dunk moment, the NBA games are landing in the UAE for the first time in 2022 when Abu Dhabi will host two preseason games. While the participating teams and host venue have yet to be revealed, we can promise you’re in for a great time. In addition, there will be interactive fan events featuring current and former NBA players, a NBA 2K League exhibition event and NBA Fit Clinics that focus on health and wellness. Furthermore, junior NBA Leagues for boys and girls will launch at schools across the UAE to encourage kids to get active and for everyone to enjoy the sport.
Tickets TBA, October. nbaevents.nba.com/abu-dhabi
Abu Dhabi Marathon
2022 will see the fourth edition of the Abu Dhabi Marathon, although the date hasn’t been announced just yet. Keep your eyes peeled though because its past editions have witnessed amazing runs. In November 2021, Titus Ekiru and Judith Jeptum Korir crossed the finish line as the winners with stellar times of 2:06:13 and 2:22:30, respectively.
Date TBC, November. www.adnocabudhabimarathon.com.
Abu Dhabi F1
Not just the highlight of the racing season but also that of the social calendar for the year, the Abu Dhabi F1 is a weekend to remember. From dramatic and thrilling moments on the circuit to incredible food and show-stopping musical performances, what’s not to love? 2021 saw the likes of Khalid and Stormzy take to the du arena for the after-party concerts, while Max Verstappen nabbed his maiden World Championship with Lewis Hamilton close at his heels in a nail-biting finish.
Tickets TBA. November 17-20. Yas Island.
Mubadala World Tennis Championship: Abu Dhabi
The 2021 edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi has just ended, with Russian player Andrey Rublev defeated Andy Murray to win the title – becoming the first Russian to do so in the event’s history. While it’s too early to tell who will return in 2022, after watching the fireworks on court this December, we can say it’ll be another sensational end to the 2022 season.
Tickets TBA. December. International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi. mubadalawtc.com.
QATAR
Qatar Masters
Continuing the extremely busy and exciting golfing season is the Qatar Masters, which forms part of the European Tour. The defending champion is France’s Antoine Rozner, who sealed a single-shot victory in 2021 with a 60-foot putt for birdie on the 18th hole.
Tickets TBA. February 10-13. Education City Golf Club. qatar-masters.com.
Qatar Open
Both the Qatar TotalEnergies Open (women) and the Qatar ExxonMobil Open (men) are on the cards for the second half of February in Doha and is set to showcase the best of the best. In 2020, Petra Kvitova snapped up her 28th title by winning the Qatar Total Open. Meanwhile, the men’s tournament has been selected by players as the ATP 250 Tournament of the Year four times, including in 2021, so we know it’s going to be an ace event. Past winners include the likes of Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic so we’re hoping to see the return of stars to the Doha complex.
Tickets TBA. February 14-26, 2022. Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Doha. www.qatartennis.org.
Grand Prix of Qatar
We’re getting fast and furious in Qatar, with the Grand Prix of Qatar (part of the MotoGP™ calendar). Exciting action is on the cards under the floodlights of the Lusail International Circuit, just 30km outside the capital city of Doha.
Tickets TBA. March 4-6. Lusail International Circuit, Doha. motogp.com.
Qatar World Cup
Marking the first time this event is taking place in the Middle East and Arab world, the FIFA World Cup 2022 is set to kick off on November 21. With eight purpose-built state-of-the-art stadiums, there’s opportunities to attend more than one match per day. It’s been a highlight for the region since Qatar won the bid to host the tournament in 2010, and with ‘shuttle flights’ between Dubai and Doha, it’s going to be pretty simply to hop across and take in the sights on the pitch and off it.
Tickets TBA. November 21-December 18. Stadiums across Qatar. www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/
SAUDI ARABIA
Riyadh Dakar Race
Strap in for a thrilling rally across Saudi Arabia. Now in its third iteration, drivers and crews are set to go head-to-head across a variety of terrain, from tracks to dunes at Dakar. This motorsport test spans nearly 7,500km across two weeks and will test the endurance of the world’s finest with more than 1,000 participants (including the drivers and their crew). From e-vehicles through to previous champions such as Sam Sunderland and Kevin Benavides present at the 2022 event, it’s set to be a cracker.
January 1-14. Across Saudi Arabia. www.dakar.com.
Diriyah E-Prix
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to the historic Diriyah and the desert surroundings of the UNESCO World Heritage site for the fourth season in a row. There will be 22 drivers including Sam Bird, reigning world champion Nyck de Vries, and new drivers Antonio Giovinazzi, Dan Ticktum and Oliver Askew. The circuit, like last year, will be illuminated by LED lights during the only night races of the Formula E season.
Tickets starting from Dhs146. January 28-29. Diriyah. diriyah-eprix.com.
Riyadh Marathon
Runners, assemble! The first Riyadh Marathon – and the first official full marathon in Saudi Arabia – will take place on a specially designed track around the city, starting and ending at the King Saud University. In addition to the full 42.2km race, there will be the option to sign up for a half marathon, a 10km race, or a 4km race. While it’s not been confirmed if any international marathon runners will descend in the Kingdom for the event, we do know that a prize fund of just under Dhs1m is on offer to attract the best of the best.
From Dhs40 for 4km onwards. March 5. Riyadh. riyadhmarathon.org/en
BAHRAIN
Bahrain Grand Prix 2022
Boasting 23 races, the most in a single season of F1, the 2022 teams are set to win the grand prize by competing with Pirelli tyres. A track day (or three!) out, spectators will be in for a treat by watching the masterful road skills of the likes of Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin Cognizant), Abu Dhabi F1 2021 winner Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Charles Leclerc (Scuderia Ferrari) and more.
From approx. Dhs500 March 18-20. Bahrain International Circuit. www.bahraingp.com
Make room in your calendar for some great food and drink too
The best brunches in Dubai
Your weekend’s not complete without one.
Read more here.
Nights to remember
Where to go out in Dubai.
Read more here.
Time Out Market Dubai
Great eats from Dubai’s best chefs.
Read more here.
