Game on! Explore the top sports stadiums in Dubai
From roaring football crowds to the crack of a cricket bat echoing under the floodlights, Dubai’s stadiums are more than just sporting venues. They’re world-class arenas built for unforgettable moments. Whether you’re chasing the thrill of a live match or exploring architectural marvels, Dubai’s stadiums deliver on all fronts. Get ready to explore the most iconic sports stadiums in Dubai, where innovation and passion come together to give sports buffs the ultimate sporting action.
LIST OF TOP SPORTS STADIUMS IN DUBAI
The emirate hosts several cricket and football tournaments that attract a huge crowd each year. Let’s look at the best sports venues in Dubai and what they offer.
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL CRICKET STADIUM
The Dubai Cricket Stadium is the crown jewel of Dubai Sports City. It has a seating capacity of 25,000. Also known as the “Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium,” it is one of the most iconic cricket venues in the UAE.
Opened in 2009, the stadium has hosted numerous international matches, including fixtures from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup. The ICC Academy is also located nearby, which offers world-class training facilities, including indoor and outdoor pitches.
A standout feature of the Dubai Cricket Stadium is its innovative lighting system. Dubbed as the “Ring of Fire,” it comprises 350 floodlights installed around the roof’s circumference. This system does not rely on traditional floodlights and offers uniform illumination with minimal shadows on the field.
- Dubai International Cricket Stadium location: Dubai Sports City, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road
- Contact: 971-4-435-1111
THE SEVENS STADIUM
Also counted among the most iconic sports stadiums in Dubai, The Sevens Stadium is a gigantic multi-purpose stadium, located 40 minutes away from Dubai International Airport. The venue regularly hosts sporting and other events throughout the year.
The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens is one of the biggest events held at the venue. The event attracts over 100,000 people each year, including visitors and residents. The stadium has eight event areas and a parking space for over 15,000 vehicles.
It has full media facilities and offers a seating area for over 50,000 spectators in its Pitch 1 stadium. The venue is ideal for hosting rugby, football, cricket and football matches.
- The Sevens Stadium Dubai location: E66 Dubai Al Ain Road, Dubai
- Contact: +971-4-809-6605
MEYDAN RACECOURSE & GRANDSTAND
The Meydan Race Course and Grandstand is another mega-venue and one of the top sports stadiums in Dubai. It hosts the prestigious Dubai World Cup and many other international equestrian events. The venue has state-of-the-art facilities.
The impressive structure spans over 1.5 kilometres under a crescent-shaped roof encased with solar panels. The inclusion of solar panels makes it one of the eco-friendly stadiums in Dubai.
The Meydan stadium seating capacity is 80,000 spectators, with parking space for more than 8,600 vehicles. The Meydan Racecourse has a 1,750-metre dirt track and a 2,400-metre turf track.
- Al Meydan racecourse location: Al Meydan Road
- Contact: +971-4-327-0077
Al WASL SPORTS CLUB
Located in the Zabeel district, Al Wasl Sports Club, also known as Zabeel Stadium, is one of the most popular venues for football matches in Dubai. Constructed in 1974, Al Wasl Stadium is the home pitch of the UAE League team Al Wasl FC. This particular football stadium in Dubai can easily accommodate over 8,439 spectators.
Al Wasl Football Academy is also located near the stadium, where aspiring footballers can take lessons to perfect their game.
- Al Wasl Sports Club location: Al Ain – Dubai Road, Latifa Hospital Street, Dubai
- Contact: +971-4-324-3333
MAKTOUM BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM STADIUM
Next on our list is the Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium. The venue is a multi-purpose facility, but currently, it serves as a soccer stadium in Dubai. The stadium is the former home to Al Shahab Al-Ahli Dubai FC Club of the UAE Pro-League. The Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium’s capacity is approximately 12,000 spectators.
- Location: Al Wuheida Street, Near Century Mall, Dubai
AL MAKTOUM STADIUM
Another iconic sports venue is Al Maktoum Stadium, located in Oud Metha. This iconic sports stadium in Dubai is a versatile sporting arena that mainly serves as a soccer stadium. The stadium is home to Al Nasr SC. It can host 15,000 spectators for a single game or event.
- Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai location: Near Al Nasr Leisure Land, Oud Metha Street, Oud Metha
DUBAI POLICE OFFICER’S CLUB STADIUM
Another popular sports venue in the emirate is the Dubai Police Officers’ Club and Stadium. Located in the Al Jaddaf district, the stadium has a seating capacity for over 7,500 spectators.
- Location: Ibn al Zahrawi Street, Al Jaddaf
FAQS about Sports Stadiums in Dubai
Apart from the mentioned best sports stadiums in Dubai, other sporting venues in the city host different events and festivals. Some of the other popular stadiums are:
- Dubai Tennis Stadium
- Rashid Stadium
- Al Wasl Indoor stadium
- Humaid Al Tayer Stadium
What is the seating capacity of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium?
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has a seating capacity of 25,000 spectators.
What are some notable sports events held in Dubai?
There are several annual sports events in Dubai to look forward to, including:
- Dubai Desert Classic (golf)
- Dubai Rugby Sevens
- Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series
- Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
- Dubai Marathon
- Dubai World Cup (horse racing)
That concludes our list of the top stadiums in Dubai. If you’re interested in perfecting your game, you can join several cricket academies in Dubai. Cricket is one of the most popular games in the UAE because of the large number of Pakistani and Indian expats that live here. The Sharjah Cricket Stadium is another popular venue for cricket matches and one of the country’s most iconic sporting landmarks.
Cover image credit: Sevens Stadium Dubai official website
