Under the patronage of Hazza Bin Zayed
2nd Hafeet Sport Challenge to launch and raising the value of financial rewards by 100%
Al Ain hosts the largest community sports gathering, featuring 20,000 participants and 37 different tournaments
The residential areas AI-powered draw and the customary Institutions Championship
Hafeet Challenge 2026: Launching across 65 venues and a state-of-the-art digital platform for participants and media professionals
Hafeet Sport Challenge – for publication | February 17, 2026
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, the Hafeet Sport Challenge will launch its second edition on Friday, the second day of the holy month of Ramadan, until the nineteenth day of the holy month, in the largest interactive sports and social festival the region has ever witnessed, and is organized by Al Ain Municipality in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Al Ain Sports Club.
In the press conference held in the Chairman’s Hall at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday, in the presence of Salem bin Rashid bin Hadhiram Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of the Championship, Rashid Abdullah, Executive Director of Al Ain Investment Company and Manager of Hafeet Sport Challenge, along with media representatives, the Higher Organizing Committee announced the completion of all preparations to launch the event, with expectations of a 100% increase in the total value of prizes and raffles, a step that reflects the qualitative expansion that the tournament is witnessing and its growing community and sporting presence.
A community event reflecting Al Ain spirit
Salem bin Rashid bin Hadhiram Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of the Championship, emphasized that the success of the first edition was achieved thanks to God and then to the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He pointed out that Hafeet Sport Challenge has transcended the concept of sports competition to become an integrated community platform that enhances the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, reinforces the values of cooperation and solidarity, and reflects Al Ain status as a global sports and tourism destination.
He added that the tournament’s continued successes embodies the strong strategic partnerships and institutional integration between the organizing and supporting institutions, highlighting the vital role of sponsors and strategic partners, most prominent of which are the diamond sponsors Nayel & Bin Harmal group and ADIB, the platinum sponsors Imkan Properties and Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Medical City SEHA, in addition to the technical sponsor 247 Sport.
Unprecedented expansion targeting 20,000 participants
On his part, Rashid Abdullah, Manager of Hafeet Sport Challenge that the current edition is witnessing a huge expansion through organizing 37 sports tournaments, representing an increase of 14 tournaments compared to the first edition, targeting the participation of approximately 20,000 male and female participants. This comes in response to the growing participation from various segments of society, including age-group games, women’s sports, senior citizens, and people with determination.
He pointed out that the accumulated organizational expertise and integrated institutional work, along with the partners’ efforts, represent the core pillars for delivering a state-of-the-art edition that reflects Al Ain identity and brings the community together around sports.
Smart and customary draw… Innovation that enhances competitive justice
The Organizing Committee revealed the adoption of AI technologies in the draw of the Residential Neighborhoods Football Championship, with the participation of 32 teams representing all neighborhoods of Al Ain Region, through data analysis mechanisms that ensure a balanced distribution that enhances competitive justice and organizational transparency in accordance with the latest global practices.
The customary draw for the Institutions Football Championship was also held, which witnessed the participation of 16 governmental and private institutions, as part of promoting institutional sports and expanding the community participation base.
The competitions will be played on 65 venues across Al Ain Region, in an initiative that reflects unprecedented organizational expansion and enhances access to the largest possible segment of society, supporting the initiative’s targets of spreading sports culture and establishing the concept of comprehensive community participation.
State-of-the-art digital platform and comprehensive experience for fans
As part of enhancing the experience for participants and fans, the Organizing Committee announced the launch of the official digital platform for the Championship, under the supervision of the technical sponsor 247 Sport, to facilitate registration, participant accreditation, and track schedules, results, and live coverage, thereby strengthening media presence and providing sustainable digital content.
The competitions are scheduled to take place in a number of key sports facilities in Al Ain Region, with the final match and awards ceremony to be held at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
