Abu Dhabi's 2024–25 sporting calendar is shaping up to be one of the most action-packed in the region's history. World-class athletes across basketball, MMA, golf, cricket, motorsport, and tennis are all heading to the UAE capital — here are the seven events you cannot afford to miss.
1. NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 — Boston Celtics vs Denver Nuggets
The NBA returns to Abu Dhabi this October with two blockbuster preseason games at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The Boston Celtics face the Denver Nuggets on October 4 and October 6, making this one of the most anticipated Abu Dhabi sporting events of the year. Between games, a Fan Appreciation Day on October 5 brings celebrity appearances, NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, and player meet-and-greet moments for families.
2. UFC 308 — Topuria vs Holloway, Abu Dhabi
On October 26, the Etihad Arena hosts UFC 308, headlined by a UFC Featherweight Championship bout between champion Ilia Topuria and former champion Max Holloway. Khamzat Chimaev is also on the card, making this one of the strongest MMA line-ups ever assembled in the region. UFC events in Abu Dhabi consistently sell out — book early.
3. Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship — Yas Links Golf Club
Golf fans get their turn from November 7 to 10 at Yas Links Golf Club, widely regarded as the UAE's top-ranked course. The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is a DP World Tour Rolex Series event, and 2024's edition features Race to Dubai contenders including Rory McIlroy and Olympic silver medallist Tommy Fleetwood competing for a $9 million prize fund.
4. Abu Dhabi T10 — Zayed Cricket Stadium
T10 cricket — the shortest, fastest format in the game — returns to the Zayed Cricket Stadium (Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub) from November 21 to December 2. Forty matches across twelve days deliver non-stop six-hitting action in an electric atmosphere. If you have never watched T10 live, this is the event to fix that.
5. Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024
The F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit, December 6–8, closes out the entire Formula 1 World Championship season — making it one of the biggest sporting weekends on the planet. Expect a celebrity-packed paddock, Yasalam after-race concerts, and the kind of high-stakes racing drama that only a season finale can deliver.
6. World Tennis League — Etihad Arena
From December 19 to 22, the Etihad Arena switches from MMA and motorsport buzz to world-class tennis with the World Tennis League. Season 3 pairs elite match play with live music: Bryan Adams headlines the opening night concert on December 19. Anastacia and Akon also perform across the event's run. Tickets for the Bryan Adams show started at Dhs 199.
7. DP World ILT20 2025 — UAE's Premier T20 Cricket League
The sporting calendar rolls into 2025 with the third season of the DP World International League T20 (ILT20), running from January 11 to February 9. Six franchise teams — MI Emirates, Gulf Giants, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, Desert Vipers, and Sharjah Warriors — compete across the Zayed Cricket Stadium (Abu Dhabi), Dubai International Cricket Stadium, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Top international players are confirmed for all squads.
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Whether you are a basketball devotee, a motorsport fanatic, or a cricket enthusiast, Abu Dhabi's 2024–25 sporting season has something unmissable for every fan.
