The International Sports & Entertainment Free Zone Cluster (ISEZA) is poised to become the UAE’s inaugural dedicated sports and entertainment business cluster within the Free Zone environment. It will function as an industry-centric business hub, enabling licensing for various sports and entertainment business activities, and nurturing a collaborative ecosystem that aims to promote the industry’s growth.
Dubai’s sports industry contributes approximately $2.5 billion annually to the emirates’s economy. The UAE has also been at the forefront of Economic Zones development, boasting over 40 Free Zones that target a variety of industries. ISEZA will further act as a specialized hub to boost the flourishing sports and entertainment business sector in the UAE and the broader Middle East.
A unified platform for licensing and growth
The Zone will deliver a cohesive platform for licensing businesses across established sectors, including sports management and marketing, event management, talent representation, and media and broadcasting, while also driving growth in emerging fields like e-sports, AI-driven sports tech, and fan tokens. The Zone will host a diverse array of industry stakeholders, encompassing global brands, sports leagues and franchises, rights owners and investors, sports and talent agencies, artists, sports and media personalities, social media influencers, and professionals from creative industries.
Comprehensive support for members
ISEZA will provide extensive corporate and legal support tailored to its members, collaborating closely with key UAE authorities such as the UAE Ministry of Sports, Dubai Sports Council, UAE National Olympic Community, and others.
Khaled AlFahim, vice president of Asset & Investment Management at Dubai World Trade Centre, highlighted DWTC’s rich legacy in hosting significant sporting events and live entertainment. He stated, “The launch of ISEZA within the DWTC Free Zone will foster a dynamic ecosystem, empowering sports and entertainment businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs to thrive. ISEZA members will benefit from our award-winning Free Zone’s prime location in the heart of the city’s business district, streamlined business setup, and access to valuable networking opportunities through our diverse events and exhibitions calendar. By attracting sports and entertainment-focused businesses, we are reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global business hub and contributing to the growth of the sports sector in alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).”
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Attracting international sports organizations
The Zone will also draw international and regional sports organizations, including sports federations, associations, and leagues, both in established and emerging sports. Furthermore, with its outstanding global connectivity, top-notch infrastructure, investor-friendly policies, and favorable tax regime, Dubai provides a significant competitive advantage for hosting global sports organizations.
Commitment to strategic vision
ISEZA CEO, Mr. Damir Valeev, remarked, “Our project is aligned with Dubai’s strategic vision of being a global destination for sports, entertainment, and tourism. This initiative will have a major social impact, creating a unique environment for hosting sports exhibitions, museums, academic programs, and community projects in Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Expo areas. Driven by the UAE’s vision of business development with higher social impact, we believe it will further contribute to the promotion of active sports and a healthy lifestyle in the UAE overall.”
Shaping the future of the industry
Moreover, nestled in One Central, located in Dubai’s vibrant business district and adjacent to the Dubai Museum of the Future, ISEZA will play a pivotal role in shaping the future growth of the sports and entertainment industry in the coming years, establishing itself as a new center of gravity for industry entrepreneurs, professionals, enthusiasts, and talents.
