The 2026–27 domestic sporting calendar officially begins this week with the UAE Kickboxing Championship (Seniors Category). Hosted at the Mubadala Dome within Abu Dhabi’s Al Jazira Sports Club, the event serves as the inaugural stage of the “Emirates Champions Season,” a comprehensive schedule of competitions that will continue through June 2027.
Organized by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, the tournament spans three days, starting Friday, September 11, and concluding on Sunday, September 13. Athletes will compete across four distinct disciplines: Point Fight and Kick Light on the tatami, and Low Kick and K-1 in the ring. All bouts will be conducted under the official technical regulations of the World Association of Kickboxing (WAKO).
The event schedule begins Wednesday with medical examinations and weigh-ins, held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Federation’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Preliminary rounds are set for Friday between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., followed by the semi-finals on Saturday. The competition wraps up on Sunday with final matches and podium ceremonies taking place from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Ali Khouri, a board member of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, noted that the championship serves as a vital benchmark for the season. “The UAE Kickboxing Championship opens the new domestic season at a moment we expect to reflect the continued growth the sport is experiencing across the country,” Khouri said. He emphasized that the event provides athletes with an early opportunity to gain official competition experience, increase their exposure, and sharpen their technical readiness for upcoming challenges.
The Emirates Champions Season encompasses nine national championships and a broad range of Muay Thai and Kickboxing events designed to support athlete development across all age groups. According to Khouri, the federation remains committed to hosting high-level tournaments that allow participants to demonstrate their capabilities, which in turn strengthens the role of local clubs and academies in refining talent for regional and international competition.
The UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, established in May 2017, serves as the governing body for both sports in the country. Beyond organizing domestic events, the organization is tasked with developing the technical and community foundations of the sports and preparing national teams for elite-level competition. The report also notes that and sets the tone for a calendar that will run through to June 2027, it is the first competitive stage on which the level of preparation across the country will be measured. The report also notes that he added: “We are looking forward to strong technical performances that reflect the development of our athletes and the depth of the work being done inside our clubs and academies. The report also notes that the championship gives every participant the chance to test their abilities and grow their experience in a properly organised competitive environment.”, with four disciplines on show.
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