It’s time to turn your life upside down this week and get used to slow, sleepy days and active nights. So whatever your favourite sport is, plan it into your evening schedule. Abu Dhabi’s pitches, pools, bowling alleys, ice rinks and gyms are all open until late, sometimes even until the early hours of the morning. Just make sure you book well in advance as the rest of the city will want to exercise late too.
Night-time tennis
If you fancy practising your serve or your swing after Iftar, you’re in luck, because the tennis courts at Zayed Sports City will be staying open until midnight throughout Ramadan. So book yourself in early for a night-time session as slots get filled up quickly.
6am-midnight. Zayed Sports City (02 403 4200).
Ice skate till late
Go for a late-night spin at the ice-rink to get some exercise and work on your moves. The cold, bracing air is the perfect antidote to smoky Suhoor tents and sticky humid weather, and we can guarantee it’s the only place you’ll be able to snuggle up in a hat and scarf.
9am-10pm during the week, 9am-midnight weekends. Zayed Sports City (02 403 4200).
Late night bowling
For a treat, take the family to Khalifa Bowling Center for a session that continues right the way through until the early morning. The 40-lane bowling center is equipped with automatic scoring systems, automatic bumpers for children and big TVs that display your scores. The onsite restaurant will be serving snacks until 2am too.
3pm-3am Khalifa International Bowling Center (02 403 4200).
After-hours football training
No need to give up your football training during Ramadan, as there are plenty of options for a game or two. If you can stand the humidity, Zayed Sports City’s pitches are open until midnight. But if you’d rather a cool, air-conditioned game, book a pitch inside The Dome’s inflatable space, also open until midnight.
9am-midnight The Dome (02 449 8480); 7am-midnight, Training pitches, Zayed Sports City (02 403 4200).
Work out all evening
Almost all of the city’s gyms are extending their opening hours this month, so check when your local place closes. If you need to sign up somewhere new, consider the Shangri-La’s Health Club, which is staying open until 11pm and has special summer daily rates. Armed Forces Officers Club is a great place to swim a few laps of the Olympic-sized pool, and the gym is also open late. Haddin’s Gym will be open right the way through from 6am to midnight.
6am-11pm Shangri La (02 509 8910/8911); 10am-11pm Armed Forces Officers Club (02 441 5900); 6am-midnight Haddin’s Gym (02 403 4200).
Spectate at Armed Forces Officers Club Open Sports Festival
If you’re of the type that prefers watching sports to doing them, then why not visit AFOC’s 15th Open Sports Festival? You’ll get the chance to watch some top athletes competing across a range of sports, including football, shooting, chess and even PlayStation. Spectators will all be in with the chance to win prizes, which could be anything from mobile phones to cars. The games start at 9.30pm and go on until midnight. Call for details about specific events.
Open Sports Festival runs from August 2-21 Armed Forces Officers Club (02 441 5900).
