The whole planet was focused on the Middle East during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The final has come and gone (congrats, Argentina), but the excitement continues in the region with even more major sporting events. There’s everything from golf to tennis to scintillating F1 action to keep you cheering throughout the year. If you’re the type to plan ahead, check out our handy guide on the best Middle East sporting events 2023.

Middle East sporting events 2023: Dubai

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. Either way, it’s one of the UAE capital’s biggest and loudest sporting weekends. Don’t miss out.
From Dhs699. Thu Nov 23-Sun Nov 26, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, yasmarinacircuit.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. Thu Jan 26-Sun Jan 29. Emirates Golf Club, Dubai.

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 are available from Tuesday January 27.
Mon Feb 13-Sun Feb 19. Dubai Tennis Stadium, Garhoud, Dubai, 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. Dubai, dubaimarathon.org.

Dubai World Cup

The glittering end-of-season finale to the Dubai World Cup Carnival will bring weeks of high-intensity racing to a close. The 2022-23 racing season began at Meydan in November, with the first meeting of the Carnival taking place on Friday January 6, and the main event taking place on Saturday March 25. A whopping prize of USS30.5 million (about SAR112 million) is up for grabs across the nine races on World Cup Day, with the big race offering a purse of US$12 million (approximately SAR44 million), making it one of the richest days of horseracing in the world.
Ticket TBA. Sat March 25. Meydan Racecourse, Nad Al Sheba, DubI, dubairacingclub.com.

DP World Tour Championship

The DP World Tour Championship takes place on the prestigious Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates each November, and in 2023 it will be held from November 16 to 19. The championship is the season-ender for the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, where the world’s top 50 golfers battle it out for huge prize money. The Race to Dubai is a season-long competition that takes place over 39 tournaments in 26 countries, and culminates at the DP World Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates. In 2022, Jon Rahm won the DP World Championship, but the Race to Dubai was claimed by Rory McIlroy, for the fourth time in the Irishman’s career.
Tickets TBA. Nov 16-19. Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, europeantour.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. Venues TBC, Dubai, emiratescricket.com.

Middle East sporting events 2023: Abu Dhabi

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. Abu Dhabi, 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 2023’s sporting calendar.
Free. Thu Jan 19-Sun Jan 22. Yas Links, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, europeantour.com.

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 Russia’s 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 Dhs45. Fri Dec 16-Sun Dec 18. International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi. mubadalawtc.com.

WPT Middle East Master

Originally due to take place in Saudi 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. Abu Dhabi.

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 speedy 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 nab 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. Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain, 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 QAR150. Fri Jan 20. ooredoo.qa.

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. Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Al Khuwair, Qatar.

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. Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Al Khuwair, Qatar.

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. Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar, tickets.formula1.com.

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. Losail International Circuit, Lusail. motogp.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-Sun Jan 15, 2023. Various locations across Saudi Arabia, dakar.com.

Spanish Super Cup

Football fans left were left with a ball-sized hole in their lives following all the excitement of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 202, but there’s plenty of opportunities 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 Wedesday January 11, with the winners of each match playing for ultimate glory.
Wed Jan 11- Sun Jan 15. 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. Diriyah, Riyadh, 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 US$20 million, the world’s most lucrative horserace sees the winner taking home a cool US$10 million, 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 King Abdullah Economic City, (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. King Abdullah Economic City, 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.