7th edition of Dubai Games to begin today

Under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the seventh edition of the Dubai Games is set to kick off on Thursday, 12 February.

Running until 15 February, Dubai Games 2026 is held in official partnership with DP World, with Diamond Partners DAMAC, Emirates Petroleum Company (Emarat), and Beyond Developments; Gold Partners Dubai Electricity and Water Authority DEWA, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, and Unilabs Middle East; and a Strategic Partner, the Dubai Sports Council.

For the third consecutive year, Dubai Games will begin with the Cities bonus-points challenge at Burj Khalifa, which will host all 56 teams participating in the Battle of the Cities.

Winning teams will share a prize pool exceeding Dhs4 million, distributed among the top three teams in the Men’s Battle of the Government, Women’s Battle of the Government, Battle of the Community, and Battle of the Juniors, as well as the top 10 teams in the Battle of the Cities.

Scheduled for Wednesday, 11 February, the challenge marks the highest number of participating cities since the tournament’s launch.

Teams will race up the staircase of the world’s tallest building, competing for 16 bonus points that will contribute to their overall standings ahead of the main Battle of the Cities.

The main competitions will commence on 12 February with the Battle of the Government.

Day One will feature two heats of the Men’s Battle of the Government, starting at 3pm, with qualifying teams advancing towards the finals on 15 February.

Action continues on 13 February with the third heat of the Men’s Battle of the Government at 3pm, followed by the Battle of the Community at 6:40pm.

The competition programme on 14 February will feature the Women’s Battle of the Government, with 21 teams competing from 9am, followed by two additional heats of the Battle of the Cities from 3pm.

The tournament will conclude on 15 February, beginning at 8am with the Battle of the Juniors, which will see 56 teams compete across two heats.

Junior participants will take on challenges inspired by the adult course, adapted to suit their age group and capabilities.