Dubai Hosts Key World Sports Summit Shaping the Future of Global Sport

Summary – Dubai recently brought together global sports leaders at the World Sports Summit to discuss the future of sport and innovation in the industry.,

Article –

Dubai recently hosted the World Sports Summit on January 10-11, 2026, reinforcing its position as a central hub in the global sports community. The event brought together key stakeholders including sports federations, international athletes, sports technology companies, and policymakers to explore the future of sport and innovation.

Event Highlights

The two-day summit featured:

• Keynote speeches
• Panel discussions
• Workshops focusing on sports governance, technology integration, athlete welfare, and sustainability

Notable participants included representatives from FIFA, the IOC, and World Athletics. Important topics discussed were:

• Use of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology
• Concussion protocols
• Environmental initiatives aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of sporting events

Key Figures

The summit attracted over 800 delegates from more than 70 countries. Additionally, 50 sports technology startups showcased innovations in:

1. Athlete performance tracking
2. Fan engagement
3. Event management

Locker-Room Statements

Dr. Aisha Al Mansoori, Chair of the Dubai Sports Council, expressed: “Our goal is to unite the global sports community to envision a sustainable and inclusive future for sport. Dubai is proud to serve as a platform for this vital dialogue.”

FIFA’s CTO, Luis Fernandez, noted: “Initiatives like this summit enable us to collaborate on technological advancements that enhance fairness and excitement in our games worldwide.”

Athletes voiced optimism about the summit’s focus on health and career longevity, endorsing education and mental health support programs.

Immediate Outcomes

The summit culminated in launching an international task force charged with:

• Establishing standardized global guidelines for sports technology use
• Promoting sustainability practices across sports

This task force aims to harmonize regulations to improve transparency and athlete safety.

Looking Ahead

Following the summit’s success, Dubai will host the Global Sports Innovation Expo in November 2026 to explore emerging sports trends and partnerships. The new international task force will convene its first meeting in March 2026 to begin formulating foundational policies.

The outcomes of this summit are expected to shape upcoming major sporting events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, leveraging cutting-edge technology and enhanced governance.

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