Fifth edition of UAE School Games set to kick off on October 20
- Last updated: September 30, 2026 | 11:01
The UAE School and University Sports Federation (UAESUSF) has announced the launch of the fifth edition of the UAE School Games for the 2026-2027 academic year, set to kick off on October 20, 2026.
Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Sports, the UAE School Games are organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Dubai Sports Council, Sharjah Sports Council, national sports federations, Ferrero Gulf, and several strategic partners from local and educational institutions.
The UAESUSF also announced the third season of the UAE University Games, which will begin next Monday, October 5, 2026, under the patronage of the Ministry of Sports, in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. This forms part of its ongoing efforts to cultivate a sporting culture among students and identify sporting talents across different age groups.
Sheikh Suhail Bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sports Development and Competitiveness Sector at the Ministry of Sports and President of UAESUSF, said: “The UAE School Games and the UAE University Games are two national platforms that promote sports within the educational environment while supporting talent development across several individual and team sports. Schools and universities play a central role in identifying emerging talents and strengthening the UAE’s sporting ecosystem. This season, the UAE School Games will expand to include wrestling and basketball. These developments reflect our commitment to ensuring that sports remain accessible to all and create greater opportunities for students to participate and develop their abilities. The UAE University Games will also expand its program to seven individual and team sports.”
He added: “Together with our partners, we are strengthening the talent identification and development ecosystem, creating pathways that connect promising athletes from educational institutions with specialised development programs. Guided by the Ministry of Sports and strengthened through advanced technologies and international collaboration, these pathways will support athletes in progressing towards sporting excellence in keeping with international best practices. We will continue working with our partners to develop both initiatives and advance the national sports ecosystem in support of the objectives of the National Sports Strategy 2031.”
Amna Al Saleh, Assistant Undersecretary for the Curriculum and Assessment Sector at the Ministry of Education, affirmed that the UAE School Games represent a strategic investment in students’ potential and the future of national sport. She noted that the initiative reflects the school’s role in shaping students’ character and developing their physical and social capabilities, highlighting that sports competitions provide valuable opportunities to build self-confidence and instil the values of discipline, perseverance, and teamwork.
She added that the Ministry is working to strengthen integration between physical education programmes and sports activities, organise specialised competitions, and provide facilities and a supportive school environment that caters to students’ diverse interests and abilities.
“These efforts contribute to embedding sustainable healthy lifestyles and enhancing overall quality of life.”
She further emphasised that collaboration with national partners in organising the championship amplifies the impact of these initiatives, broadens participation and competition among schools, and reinforces the education system’s role in preparing generations capable of achieving excellence in the sporting arena.
The UAE School Games will progress through registration, qualifiers, and finals with event concluding in May 2027
The UAESUSF said the qualifiers stage of the UAE School Games will begin in October, directly after the registration is completed, with the new season expected to bring together students from public and private schools across the UAE. In addition to wrestling and basketball, the Games will feature 15 different individual and team sports.
The UAE School Games will be held across three phases: registration, qualifiers, and finals. Qualifiers will be organised for participating schools in the Emirate of Sharjah and the four Northern Emirates, including Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. The Grand Finals will bring together winners from these qualifying competitions, alongside qualifiers from the Abu Dhabi and Dubai School Games, to compete for the UAE School Games national title across different sports disciplines.
In detail, the qualifiers stage competitions have been divided across the three academic terms in line with the approved academic calendar in the UAE, as follows: first-term competitions will run from October 20 to November 19 2026; second-term competitions will commence on January 6, 2027 and continue until March 30, 2027, with a pause in competitions from 4 February to 11 March coinciding with the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr; third-term competitions will begin on 14 April 2027 and run until 10 May 2027. The UAE School Games will conclude with the national-level Grand Finals and an awards ceremony, on 29 May 2027.
The 15 sports to be featured in the Games are football, athletics, archery, badminton, laser run, table tennis, obstacle course racing, chess, fencing, judo, jiu-jitsu, taekwondo, and swimming, along with wrestling and basketball, which will be introduced for the first time.
195 Teams to Compete Across Seven Sports in the UAE University Games
The third season of the UAE University Games for the 2026-2027 academic year will be launched on October 5, 2026, bringing together 195 teams representing 50 public and private higher education institutions across the UAE. This reflects the expanding base of participation in university sports and the proactive development of sporting opportunities within the higher education sector.
The finals are scheduled to be held in April 2027. The 2026–2027 season will feature an expanded portfolio of men’s and women’s competitions across seven sports. Team sports will include football, basketball, and volleyball, while individual sports include obstacle course racing, swimming, athletics, and cycling.