Sports and leisure activities Abu Dhabi

Budget & Tips

While it's easiest from October to April, there are many sports you can do all year round in Abu Dhabi without breaking the bank: walking, jogging, biking, horseback riding, tennis, padel tennis, golf, basketball, jiu-jitsu, rock climbing, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, surfing, kiteboarding, and more are just some of the free or very affordable activities you can do in Abu Dhabi. So we've put together a list with all the tours, places to practice them and where to rent bikes.

What's very local

The real national sport is motor sports if it is considered a real sport. For camel racing and falconry, they are more trainers than actors, since in the first case, the camels are not ridden and in the second it is the falcon that does all the work. As soon as the temperatures drop, however, some dhow races (locally made wooden boats) can be seen taking place off the coast of Abu Dhabi. All year round, you can enjoy indoor climbing at the world's highest climbing gym, Climb, right next to Ferrari World in the mall of Yas Island

Your documents please

Bring your passport for all motor sport activities. A photocopy is not sufficient.

To be booked

If you want to attend the final of the F1 World Drivers Championship at Yas Marina Circuit at the end of November, we strongly recommend you to book your seats in advance: https://www.yasmarinacircuit.com/en

Main events

Several annual events mark the sporting life of Abu Dhabi.

For the first time, on October 6 and 8, 2022, the Etihad Arena hosts the historic first two NBA 2022 / 2023 pre-season games between the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks.

From November 17 to 20, 2022, the world's best drivers meet on the track of the Yas Marina circuit for the last Formula 1 Grand Prix

In December, if the soccer world cup is in Qatar, if you can't find a hotel, consider that there are a plethora of accommodation options in Abu Dhabi and air shuttles between the Emirates' capital and Qatar.

On December 17, 2022, you can experience Abu Dhabi by running the capital's marathon. At the same time, the world's best tennis players will compete in the Zayed Sports City.

In January 2023, follow the UAE Cycling Tour from Abu Dhabi to Dubai or the start of the European Tour where the world's best golfers race to Dubai.