With the FIFA World Cup 2022 in full swing, the whole planet is fixated on the Middle East.
But with Qatar playing host to the biggest tournament in sport, the 2023 after-party is not to be missed either.
There’s everything from golf to tennis to scintillating F1 action to keep your sporting fix in check.
If you’re the type to plan ahead, check out our handy guide below for a rundown of major events to look forward to in 2023.
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Middle East sporting events 2023: Abu Dhabi
Mubadala World Tennis Championship
2022’s edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship looks set to be a classic if last year’s outing is anything to go by. Britain’s Sir Andy Murray reached the final in 2021, ultimately losing to Russian Andrey Rublev, but it was an event for the history books. One of the final events of the season, this year’s tournament should offer everything and more to tennis fans in the UAE.
From QR45. Fri Dec 16 – Sun Dec 18. International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi. mubadalawtc.com.
Abu Dhabi Marathon
The fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi Marathon offers something for competitors and spectators alike. Titus Ekiru and Judith Jeptum Korir crossed the finish line as the winners with stellar times of 2:06:13 and 2:22:30, respectively. Registration is still open, too.
Sat Dec 17. adnocabudhabimarathon.com.
Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
After last year’s event was a resounding success, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is back with another edition. Setting the stall in 2022, the event will be free for golf fans to attend once again in 2023. Supporters will hope the likes of Colin Morikawa and Rory McIlroy come back to recreate what was one of the highlights in 2022’s sporting calendar.
Free. Thurs Jan 19 –Sun Jan22, 2023. Yas Links, Abu Dhabi. europeantour.com.
WPT Middle East Master
Originally due to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2022, Abu Dhabi will now host this padel tournament. With a male and female category, it looks set to give this emerging sport an even bigger platform in the UAE.
Tickets TBA. Mon Feb 20-Sun Feb 26, 2023.
Abu Grand Prix 2023
Now the undisputed home of the final race in F1’s calendar, Abu Dhabi will play host to the season finale once again in 2023. Max Verstappen clinched the title from Lewis Hamilton here in 2021 in a classic race that will be remembered for decades to come. 2022’s race was a more straightforward affair, this time with Verstappen winning comfortably, but race fans will hope for another vintage outing in 2023.
From QR699. Thurs Nov 23 – Sun Nov 26, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island. yasmarinacircuit.com.
Middle East sporting events 2023: Bahrain
Bahrain Grand Prix 2023
Having established itself as the home of the opening race of the F1 season, Bahrain will again be the host of all things speed in 2023. An intriguing year awaits, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen hoping to secure a third championship in a row while Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton looks to secure a record-winning eighth title. They’ll both be on the grid in March, rivals reunited fresh to do battle once again.
Fri Mar 3-Sun Mar 5, 2023. Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir. www.bahraingp.com/.
Middle East sporting events 2023: Doha
Ooredoo Doha Marathon
Want to shake off the January blues with a fitness boost? Look no further. The Doha Marathon is back in 2023, with entry options available for all groups. You can choose to run 5km, 10km, 21km or the full 42km.
From Dhs151. Fri Jan 20, 2023. ooredoo.qa/web/en/marathon/
Qatar ExxonMobil Open
Currently part of the ATP Tour 250 series, this is a point in the diary for any tennis fan. With previous winners including Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Sir Andy Murray, it’s the chance for an aspiring major champion to step up to the plate. Often considered a sounding board to future success, winning in Qatar can set up a season after January’s major opener in Australia.
Tickets TBA. Mon Feb 13 – Sun Feb 19, 2023. Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Al Khuwair.
Qatar TotalEnergies Open
The women’s edition of the annual Qatar Open, this year’s showing looks set to feature some of the world’s best talent. As part of the WTA 1000 tour, reigning champion Iga Swiatek will hope to retain her crown in Doha.
Tickets TBA. Mon Feb 13 – Sat Feb 18, 2023. Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Al Khuwair.
Qatar Grand Prix
After its first Grand Prix in 2021, Qatar missed out on a circuit slot in 2022. That won’t be repeated in 2023, though, as Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton will return to the circuit he once dominated. Now more of an underdog, after back-to-back championships for Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Hamilton will be hoping for a stronger showing in 2023.
Tickets TBA. Fri Oct 6-Sun Oct 6, 2023. Losail International Circuit, Lusail. tickets.formula1.com/en/f1-56257-qatar
Grand Prix of Qatar
If the F1 isn’t enough for you, the MotoGP bikes are in town from November. Head down to the Losail International Circuit for its second major race event of 2023. This time, it’ll be to watch the likes of Marc Marquez in action rather than Lewis Hamilton and co.
Tickets TBA. Fri Nov 17-Sun Nov 19, 2023. Losail International Circuit, Lusail. motogp.com.
Middle East sporting events 2023: Dubai
Dubai Rugby Sevens
The Rugby Sevens is part of Dubai’s fabric – and this year’s outing looks set to be no different. With festival vibes and National Day celebrations in full swing, it’s poised to be a carnival of sport. Below are the dates for the 2022 event, with the 2023 comp looking set to fall on similar dates over the National Day weekend.
From QR375. Thu Dec 1–Sat Dec 3, 2022. The Sevens Stadium, dubairugby7s.com.
UAE T20 League
Cricket-lovers rejoice. The UAE T20 League is finally here with six franchise teams set to take part. If you’re after explosive action with six-hitting on show, look no further. This new event looks set to be the home of the shortest form of cricket for the year’s early months.
Tickets TBA. Fri Jan 6 – Sun Feb 12, 2023. Venues TBC, emiratescricket.com.
Dubai Desert Classic
Dubai is known all over the world for its top-class golf facilities – and the Desert Classic is the icing on the cake. With Rory McIlroy set to join some of the sport’s biggest names, this is an event no golf fan will want to miss.
Free. Thurs Jan 26 – Sun Jan 29, 2023. Emirates Golf Club.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
If you’ve never been to watch live tennis before, you’re in for a treat. TV tells you one side of the story – but it doesn’t compare to how accurate and powerful players are in the flesh. For those looking to go the extra mile, meet-the-player sessions are available before and after the live action. It’s not just the sport on offer, either, with a wide array of retail options near the Irish Village.
Tickets available from Jan 27. Mon Feb 13 – Sun Feb 19, 2023. Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud, dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com.
Dubai Marathon
If fitness is your thing, look no further than the Dubai Marathon. Coming in February while the winter weather is still on our side, this is Dubai’s prime distance-running event. Registration is still open, too, if you want to take part in the Middle East’s biggest mass participation sporting event.
Sun Feb 13. dubaimarathon.org.
Dubai World Cup
The glittering end-of-season finale to the Dubai World Cup will bring weeks of high-intensity racing to a close. The first race of the season has already taken place and, by the end of March, the jockeys will have clocked up 21 competitive appearances between them. Regarded as the pinnacle of UAE horse racing, a whopping prize of Dhs11.2billion is up for grabs for the winner.
Tickets TBA. Sat March 25. dubairacingclub.com.
Middle East sporting events 2023: Saudi Arabia
Dakar Rally 2023
Saudi will host the globally-renowned rally raid for the fourth time from Saturday December 31, 2022 to Sunday January 15, 2023, with the race promising to deliver even more high-octane thrills (and potential spills) than ever. Following a gruelling new itinerary and spanning 14 stages, the 2023 Dakar Rally begins on the Red Sea Coast and concludes almost 5,000 kilometres later in Dammam. The route is also the longest race distance since 2014.
Sat Dec 31, 2022 to Sun Jan 15, 2023. dakar.com.
Spanish Super Cup
Football fans left with a ball-sized hole in their lives following all the excitement of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 take note: in early 2023 there’s still plenty of opportunity to watch the beautiful game live. The Spanish Super Cup semi-finals, which sees favourites Real Madrid face up against Valencia and Real Betis take on Barcelona, will kick off at Riyadh’s King Fahd Stadium on Tuesday January 10, with the winners of each match playing for ultimate glory.
Tue Jan 10- Sat Jan 14. King Fahd Stadium, Riyadh.
Diriyah E-Prix 2023
It might not generate quite the noise of its Formula 1 counterpart, but the Diriyah E-Prix is still a hugely exciting (and environmentally sound) event to attend. Over the course of two days the stars of Formula E will battle it out under low-power LED lights as part of the highly competitive “Double-Header in the Dark”.
Fri Jan 27-Sat Jan 28. Diryah, fiaformulae.com.
The Saudi Cup
One of the major highlights of the international equestrian calendar, the annual Saudi Cup will gallop onto Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz Racetrack in February. With a total purse of $20million, the world’s most lucrative horserace sees the winner taking home a cool $10million, with the remaining winnings shared amongst the horses finishing between second and 10th place. Stretching out over nine furlongs, the 2023 event is set to be a real thriller with some of the finest horses and most talented jockeys in the world clamouring for glory.
Fri Feb 24-25. King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Riyadh, thesaudicup.com.sa.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
Heads up, petrol heads. The Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will take place at the 27-turn Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the third time in March. A must-visit event for motor racing fans, the second race on the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship Calendar will see a host of modern driving greats screaming their way around the longest and fastest street circuit in F1. The three-day weekend brings us live entertainment, paddock-side activations, family-friendly activities and an array of dining options, too.
Fri March 17-Sun Mar 19, Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, f1experiences.com.
LIV Golf Invitational Series
Buoyed by the success of a much-talked about inaugural season, LIV Golf have already revealed that the 2023 events schedule will expand to include between 10 and 14 events taking place around the globe, with stop offs in Australia, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. While the exact dates and locations have yet to be announced, given the success of the recent tournament at KAEC’s Royal Greens – Golf & Country Club it makes sense that LIV will frequent the the impressive 72-par course again in 2023. Stay tuned.
Coming soon. livgolf.com.
Manny Pacquiao exhibition match
Believe the hype: boxing great Manny ‘PacMan’ Pacquiao is coming out of retirement for a one-fight only exhibition match held at King Fahd Stadium next year. Known for his super-fast feet and relentless punch speed, the legendary Filipino boxing star officially hung up his gloves at the tail end of 2021, but will be taking on his old sparring partner, the unbeaten Jaber Zayani in an eight-round fight.
Coming 2023. Fahd Stadium, Riyadh.
World Combat Games 2023
Generating huge excitement amongst martial arts fans across KSA, earlier this year Riyadh was confirmed at the host of the 2023 World Combat Games, with the signing of a formal agreement between the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Global Association of International Sports Federations. The GAISF-backed event will showcase 15 of the world’s best martial arts and combat sports, with around 2,000 athletes taking part. As well as bringing wider attention to these disciplines, the event aims to promote public health and spark interest in the sports.
Sat Oct 21-Mon Oct 30. Riyadh, gaisf.sport.
