Sport Industry Forum Returns to Abu Dhabi – Bigger, Bolder, and Alongside the NBA – Sport360 News

The Sport Industry Forum returns, this year at Yas Marina Circuit – bigger, bolder, and running alongside the NBA Abu Dhabi Games for an unmissable two days of sport, business and innovation.”

Since 2014, the Forum has transformed from a small UAE gathering into the region’s go-to meeting point for 450+ leaders from government, sport, and business. It’s where the UAE

National Sports Strategy was launched, where NBA execs brought audiences to their feet, where global brands like Mubadala, DP World and Etihad revealed why they invest in sport — and where the partnerships shaping the future of Middle Eastern sport are made.

This isn’t another conference. This is the room where it happens.

Big strategies revealed. Government leaders on stage, answering questions.
Deals struck. From grassroots initiatives to multi-million-dollar event partnerships.
Global names meet regional decision-makers. Mapping out what’s next for sport in the Middle East.

Who’s on stage in 2025?

Alexis Ohanian, Co-Founder of Reddit and Founding Owner of Angel City FC
John Terry, Former Captain, Chelsea FC and England
Robbie Fowler, Former Liverpool FC and England striker
H.E. Ghanim Al Hajeri, Undersecretary, UAE Ministry of Sports
H.E. Ahmed Ismail Al Hosani, Executive Director Support Services Sector, Abu Dhabi Sports Council
Kelly Flatow, EVP Global Events, NBA
Danny Townsend, CEO, SURJ Sports Investment
Andrew Thompson, Managing Director, SailGP
Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, CEO, Ethara and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Tad Brown, CEO, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (Philadelphia 76ers)
Jamaal Lesane, COO, Madison Square Garden Sports (New York Knicks)

Sessions will cut to the chase: Saudi Arabia’s investment playbook, Abu Dhabi’s next moves, the rise of women’s sport, athlete leadership lessons, how brands measure ROI in sport, and how AI is transforming the fan experience.

And the networking? Unmissable. From the Padel Networking Evening (30 September) to lunches and an exclusive reception at Saadiyat Beach Club, it’s where deals get done.

If you want to know where the money, strategy, and opportunity in Middle Eastern sport are heading — you need to be here.

The 2025 Forum is proudly supported by the Department of Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the Department of Community Development, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with official partners Ethara and OVG Middle East.

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