We explore some of the sprawling complexes in Abu Dhabi where you can just enjoy the many sports on offer. These facilities will have you sweating, without sweating the small stuff.
Zayed Sports City
The sporting hub is home to the Abu Dhabi Harlequins and some of the biggest and best outdoor facilities in the region. It is the largest of the complexes at a whopping 1.2 million square metres. It’s no wonder ZSC won the best sport and recreation facility at the Sport Industry awards in March.
Zayed Sports City is one of the region’s oldest establishments; it was inaugurated in 1980 to make sports more accessible to the Abu Dhabi community. The complex holds a 40-lane bowling alley, an ice-skating rink (that is an impressive 1,860 square metres), an international-standard tennis arena, the biggest stadium in Abu Dhabi with a capacity to hold 43,000 people, Haddins Gym and fields upon fields of sporting grounds. Several team sports competitions are held in the grounds weekly including netball, softball, football and rugby.
It’s also home to many entertainment events; most recently the WWE came to the tennis complex, which is also home to Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
If you are driving to the venue, fear not, as ZSC has a whoppping 14,000 parking spaces. Most of the facilities are available for rent and membership is available for the gym.
Old Airport Road, Al Madina Al Riyadiya (02 403 4200).
Abu Dhabi Country Club
For the indoor sports enthusiasts, Abu Dhabi Country Club (ADCC) is the place to go. It boasts some of the largest and most luxurious group-fitness studios in Abu Dhabi, all of which are newly constructed. It is also home to the Spacewalk; the only indoor sky-diving facility in the capital. International branded Les Mills classes are available as is yoga, Pilates, Zumba and circuit training – there’s more than 20 types of classes available with upwards of 120 classes offered each week. It is all in the beautifully air-conditioned comfort of their sprawling studios.
For team sports, ADCC has a new multi-purpose court which can accommodate football, basketball, volleyball, handball and tennis with spectator seating.
For outdoors, ADCC hosts tennis courts, a swimming pool (there’s an indoor one too) and football fields.
For youngsters, there are dance classes in ballet, belly dancing, hip hop and various other genres (according to availability) as well as school sports training.
They also provide space for functions, indoor and outdoor, where companies can conduct team-building events which include the use of some of ADCC’s sporting facilities.
Memberships are available for the Abu Dhabi Country Club and unit passes are also available for classes and the Spacewalk.
Al Saada Street, Al Mushrif, www.adcountryclub.com (02 657 7777).
The Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel
Nestled in Al Maqta, the AFOCH is not just a hotel; it also has a surprising range of activities available to the public.
Not only do they host paintball games on their sprawling fields, there are also grounds to accommodate volleyball and football.
For those more inclined to stay indoors, there is also an Olympic-size swimming pool, squash courts, table tennis, bowling, basketball courts and pool, snooker and billiards tables. It wouldn’t be an officers’ club without its two Olympic-standard shooting galleries.
All of the activities are available to the public.
Al Maqta, www.afoc.mil.ae (02 441 5900).
Al Forsan International Sports Resort
Al Forsan International Sports Resort is the adventure destination. Located in Khalifa City A, the sprawling complex offers a multitude of adrenaline-charged activities. Paintball, water-sports and football are just some of the sports on offer.
The resort is host to the International Wakeboarding Championships, which make use of the sprawling water-facilities. The paintballing fields have three different areas to engage in combat – a Wild Wild West theme, a WW2 Pacific Island Zone and a tournament field.
For the more serious shooters, there are hand-gun and rifle ranges as well as sporting clays. All levels are welcome.
Al Forsan also hosts a variety of equestrian facilities and an internationally certified Go-Karting track. Membership is available for various sections.
Khalifa City A, www.alforsan.com (02 556 8555).
