DUBAI GAMES 2025 recently kicked off today at Dubai Festival City. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the tournament, now in its sixth edition, was marked by intense action on the opening day with teams competing for top positions in the Battle of the Government category for women and men demonstrating exceptional levels of energy, teamwork and competitiveness.
The event, which runs until February 23, is organized in official partnership with DP World, with diamond sponsorship from DAMAC and Emarat, and in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council.
“DUBAI GAMES 2025 has kicked off with remarkable energy, as teams showcase outstanding teamwork, strategic thinking, and competitiveness. Today’s performances reaffirm the championship’s position as one of Dubai’s leading sporting events, embodying the values of collaboration and perseverance,” stated Marwan bin Essa, Director of DUBAI GAMES.
Battle of the Government
Day 1 of DUBAI GAMES 2025 witnessed fierce competition in the Battle of the Government for Women, with 26 teams across a highly competitive field delivering some exceptional performances.
Four teams ultimately qualified for the final taking place on February 23, following some terrific tussles in previous rounds. The finalists include the Ministry of Defence team, which scored 93.06 points, the Ministry of Education team with a tally of 69.31 points, the Dubai Police team which scored 62.54 points, and the Dubai Health team which aggregated 61.03 points.
Day 1 also featured the first and second heats in the Battle of the Government for Men, where contestants faced rigorous tests of their physical and mental reserves of endurance and strength, in addition to team spirit. The top four teams advancing to the finals will be announced on Friday evening, setting the stage for the final showdown on Sunday.
The action is set to intensify in the coming days as the Battle of the Government for Men reaches a crescendo alongside the initial contests in the Battle of the Community and Battle of the Cities categories.
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244 teams participate in DUBAI GAMES 2025
DUBAI GAMES 2025 features 244 teams across various categories, including 84 teams in the Battle of the Government – Men; 26 teams in the Battle of the Government – Women; 28 teams in the Battle of the Community and 50 teams in the Battle of the Cities, in addition to 56 teams that participated in the Battle of Juniors held in DAMAC HILLS on February 8.
“DUBAI GAMES employs a refereeing system based on the highest global standards to ensure fairness and accuracy. The points system is grounded in precise criteria, assessing every team equitably on collective performance, strategic problem-solving, and both physical and mental capabilities. This framework fosters a competitive environment, emphasizing skill, strategy and teamwork,” stated Khalid Balhoul, In-charge of the refereeing committee and member of the organising committee for the games.
The main championship will run from February 20 to 23 at Dubai Festival City with the total prize pool exceeding AED3.1 million.
With its refreshed identity, DUBAI GAMES serves as an inspiring platform to encourage future generations to adopt an active lifestyle that embodies the core values of renewal, ambition, and resilience – reflecting the vibrant spirit of Dubai.
