Sports enthusiasts, time to get off the outdoor pitches and stifling humidity and into the air-conditioned facilities of Dubai Sports World. The season indoor sports arena by the Dubai Sports Council is back for its annual summer stint.
Until September 10, Dubai World Trade Centre’s (DWTC) Zabeel Hall 2-6 convert into courts for football, basketball, tennis and even cricket pitches that you can rent out by the hour. There’s no excuse to not be active this summer as Dubai Sports World will host 9 different sports during its three-month stay at the convention centre.
New sports + gym and fitness studio
Besides the usual suspects such as badminton and table tennis, two trending new racquet sports are part of the roster this year – padel and pickleball.
An entire gym too is packed inside Dubai Sports World. Kitted out with state-of-the-art Matrix equipment and machines, it’s got free weight sets, treadmills, ellipticals and all the imaginable gear you’d need to warm up or cool down after your games. The gym offers both pay-as-you-go and full seasonal memberships, so you can sign up for the summer for a change of scene from your usual gym.
If aerobic, skill-based workouts are more your speed, then sign up for one of the HIIT, Zumba, martial arts, yoga or circuit training classes conducted at the fitness studios inside Sports World.
Free Fun and games
This year, Dubai Sports World has done one better and added some interactive recreational activities into the mix too. A game of football pool will see you and your pals try to sink footballs instead of cue balls on a giant billiards table by kicking them. And you’ll surely get a kick out of the rest too – retro video games stations, arm wrestling tables, giant Jenga and mini golf are all activities you can try for free. Oh yeah, these games are free to participate in!
Kid’s section at Dubai Sports World
Outdoor parks might be off-limits for the summer, but that doesn’t mean the playground is. Starting June 15, a section of the sporting venue will transform into an indoor kids’ play area with slides, ball pits and play structures they can clamber over safely.
Weekend festival with farmers market
As if all of the above didn’t make it an action-packed destination for the whole family, Dubai Sports World also throws a community festival every weekend. You can have a go at carnival games, vibe to some live music, and the kids can let their hair down with fun activities and entertainment. UAE-based farmers market collective MANBAT also set up a pop-up market at this weekend festival. Other than shopping for fresh farm veggies, you can also sign up for tasting experiences and workshops at the farmers’ pop-up.