The Sport Business Discussion board 2025 wrapped up in the present day on the Yas Convention Centre, Yas Marina Circuit, bringing collectively 450 senior executives and decision-makers from throughout the worldwide sports activities enterprise. Over two days, the Discussion board delivered high-level dialogue, strategic insights and impactful networking on the area’s most influential trade platform.
The occasion featured an unimaginable lineup of audio system together with H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary, UAE Ministry of Sports activities, H.E. Ahmed Ismail Al Hosani, Govt Director Assist Companies Sector, Abu Dhabi Sports activities Council, H.E. Talal Mustafa Al Hashemi, Govt Director of Occasions Sector, Abu Dhabi Sports activities Council, Alexis Ohanian Co-Founding father of Reddit, Founding father of Seven Seven Six, John Terry, Former Skilled Footballer, Chelsea F.C. and England Nationwide Group, Ian Rush, Former Skilled Footballer, Liverpool F.C. and Welsh Nationwide Group and Robbie Fowler, Former Skilled Footballer, Liverpool F.C. and English Nationwide Group.
H.E. Ahmed Ismail Al Hosani, Govt Director Assist Companies Sector, Abu Dhabi Sports activities Council mentioned: “The success of this 12 months’s Discussion board displays Abu Dhabi’s capability to convene the worldwide sports activities group at a pivotal second. The conversations now we have hosted right here will not be nearly occasions, however about legacy, collaboration and constructing the way forward for sport for the good thing about our society.”
H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Sports activities, highlighted throughout his keynote interview on Day One: “Sport has the facility to unite, encourage and remodel communities. The Ministry is dedicated to making sure that sport continues to play this function in our nation, and the Sport Business Discussion board has offered precious momentum as we strengthen governance, spend money on expertise and embrace innovation.”
Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, addressed the Discussion board on Abu Dhabi’s function as a world hub for sport and leisure. He mentioned: “Abu Dhabi has confirmed its capability to ship world-class experiences, from Formulation 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to the NBA Abu Dhabi Video games, that resonate far past the sector of play. At Ethara, we’re proud to be a part of this journey, with our venues and occasions that encourage followers, drive financial impression and set new requirements throughout the area”.
Throughout two days, delegates heard from a number of the world’s most recognisable executives and athletes. Day One highlights included Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler sharing their journeys from Liverpool F.C. legends to management off the pitch, Andrew Thompson of SailGP on constructing a world property from scratch, and Lara Value and Jamaal Lesane from the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks (respectively) reflecting on management within the NBA.
Day Two opened with Alexis Ohanian, Co-Founding father of Reddit and Founding father of Seven Seven Six, who outlined his imaginative and prescient for investing in girls’s sport and the creation of ATHLOS, an thrilling new international monitor and area idea. John Terry, former Chelsea
F.C. and England captain shared management classes from his profession on and off the pitch. On the significance of the Discussion board’s platform, he mentioned “The Sport Business Discussion board is a hub for the conversations that can form the way forward for the sports activities trade.” Danny Townsend, CEO of SURJ Sports activities Funding, mentioned Saudi Arabia’s long-term international ambitions in sport.
A significant spotlight was the unique session on the Open Masters Video games Abu Dhabi 2026, which can deliver greater than 25,000 athletes from 100+ nations to the UAE within the largest and most inclusive multi-sport occasion ever staged within the Center East.
The Discussion board was formally supported by the Division of Tradition and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the Division of Neighborhood Improvement – Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Sports activities Council. Becoming a member of them have been official associate Ethara, hospitality associate OVG Center East, branding associate Wasserman Reside and panel sponsor Nielsen Sports activities & Leisure.
With unparalleled networking and content material that drives motion, the Sport Business Discussion board 2025 bolstered Abu Dhabi and the Center East’s function as a hub for innovation, collaboration and the way forward for sport.