The seventh edition of the Dubai Games will commence on February 12, 2026, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, according to WAM. The event, running until February 15 with the slogan “Unite, Ignite, Battle”, is expected to see participation from over 1,600 athletes representing 56 cities globally.
According to the Dubai Media Office, the games will feature four main categories including the Battle of the Government, Battle of the Community, Battle of the Cities and Battle of the Juniors. The government category will include 99 teams and 840 participants while the community division will have 28 teams with 196 athletes, official figures from the event website show. The cities category brings together 56 teams and 336 participants and the juniors will see 56 teams with 392 athletes, completing the roster of competitors and summing to more than 1,600 total athletes.
These numbers reflect the continued expansion of the Dubai Games, which the official website described as having grown from its beginnings to welcome community teams, international cities and juniors. A report from the Dubai Games site detailed how the tournament now incorporates these groups to broaden its appeal beyond the initial focus on local government employees. This evolution has helped promote sports participation across different segments of society in the UAE and beyond.
The event harnesses public-private partnerships to deliver the sporting spectacle, WAM reported. Such collaborations have been instrumental in scaling up the games over the years by providing resources and expertise for the obstacle challenges. Participation from 56 cities worldwide, including new entrants, underscores the event’s rising global profile according to organisers.
In the lead-up to the 2026 edition, a Burj Challenge with 56 teams set the tone prior to the main competitions, according to WAM coverage. The challenges are structured to test teamwork, timing and trust among participants across multiple heats and days. Organisers positioned the games as a platform for fostering ambition and collective achievement through competitive play.
This edition sets a new benchmark with enhanced women’s participation, a subsequent WAM dispatch indicated. The development aligns with UAE efforts to encourage female involvement in sports at all levels. Teams from government departments, private companies and international cities are expected to feature in the mixed and dedicated categories.
Preparations included coordination among multiple entities to manage the four-day schedule, with the Battle of the Government heats beginning on the opening day as outlined in the announcement. The format advances teams through preliminary rounds toward finals, maintaining engagement throughout the event. WAM noted that the seventh edition built on the foundation of prior tournaments to elevate standards in team-based obstacle racing.
