Rugby, netball, ice hockey, volleyball, and more sports to try in Abu Dhabi.
The vast majority of Abu Dhabi residents will drive or get a taxi to the office, sit at their desks all day, and drive home before hitting the bars and restaurants (or the sofa) in the evening.
That’s why team sports play such an important role in the capital. If lifting weights in the gym or pounding the streets on a 10km run isn’t your thing, then getting involved in a team sport is your best bet for staying healthy. Indulgence is a trait that is popular in the UAE, but it is important to balance this out with some variety of activity that is going to keep your heart rate up for an extended period of time.
Top 10 Popular Sports in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E)
And the good news is that Abu Dhabi is the perfect place to actually get out and play some sport. The weather is good to play outside in the evenings nine months of the year and there are some excellent indoor and outdoor facilities (both artificial and grass) to play on.
There are also plenty of teams and clubs that play sports from all over the world at every level from fun and recreational to serious and competitive. So if you’ve just moved to the UAE and are missing playing the sport you love, or you want to try something completely new, the sport for you is going on somewhere in the city right now.
Check out our favorite, and most unusual, team sports clubs and leagues in the capital.
1) Rugby:
One of the most popular sports in the capital, there are two Abu Dhabi-based clubs that compete against teams all over the UAE. Abu Dhabi Harlequins are the longest-running club in the capital, and Abu Dhabi Saracens are quickly gathering a reputation as one of the best clubs in the UAE.
Both are well-organized and friendly, welcoming environments for players of all levels, with regular training and matches for the men’s 1st XV, 2nd XV, veterans and juniors, and women’s 1st XV and rugby sevens team.
2) Netball:
The largest weekly participation sport for women in the city, the Abu Dhabi Netball League is huge, and it offers a chance for past or budding ballers to be competitive and have fun in a social and friendly sports club. There are three leagues of nine where 18 teams currently compete every Tuesday.
The action is fast and frenetic, offering everything you could want from a team sport. The majority of players are aged 16-45, but players of all ages and abilities are welcome.
3) Aussie Rules Football:
Unless you come from Down Under, Aussie Rules is probably a new sport to you. Don’t let that put you off though, this exhilarating sport is fast and fun to play. It’s physically demanding but will improve your fitness quickly – if you’re a fan of football and/or rugby and fancy giving something new a try, then this is the sport for you.
Don’t be concerned if you haven’t played the game before as you’ll pick up the basic skills required to play the game quickly. Make it to the club’s top side and you’ll be playing matches against teams from all over the UAE.
Dhs500 for annual membership and match day kit. Training every Sunday 6.30pm-8pm and every Wednesday 7pm. Zayed Sports City.
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4) Ice Hockey:
Ice hockey? In the desert? You’d better believe it. Zayed Sports City’s ice rink is one of the cooler (pun most definitely intended) spots in the capital, and as well as running free sessions for skaters and figure skating classes, wannabe Wayne Gretzkys can get on the ice and bash a puck around to their heart’s content.
There are teams, training and practice sessions available for men, women and youths. You can borrow some equipment, but being able to ice skate proficiently is a requirement of joining the club.
5) Softball:
Another foreign import, softball is one of the most popular sports in the capital. The Abu Dhabi softball league meets twice a week to compete in two leagues, competitive and recreational. The league is currently made up of 13 teams, making this one of the best-attended sports in the city.
Softball is a sport for all ages and abilities, so if you’re looking to try your hand at something new but aren’t sure what, put this sport at the top of your list.
6) Dragon Boat Racing:
Water sports are huge in Abu Dhabi, so it’s not surprising that team sports are also popular. The biggest is dragon boat racing, similar to canoeing, but with a boat large enough to house a team of 22 people.
There are at least three well-attended dragon boat clubs in Abu Dhabi that train weekly and have active social arms as well. If you are looking to improve your fitness in a proper team environment, then consider using the city’s coastal water resources to your benefit as you do it.
Abu Dhabi dragon boat clubs include Capital Dragons (www.capitaldragons.weebly.com), Al Bandar Dragon Boat Club (www.facebook.com/AlBandarDragonBoatTeam) and Desert Dragons (www.desertdragonsad.com).
7) Beach volleyball:
Beach volleyball is a serious sport, but it’s also a lot of fun. That’s probably why it’s so popular in Abu Dhabi – the volume of available sand also makes it a pretty obvious choice when it comes to picking your team sport. All you need is a net, a ball and a group of friends, and you’re guaranteed hours of fun on the sand.
If you’re looking for competition, Duplays runs a social beach volleyball session every week at Hiltonia Beach Club which encourages people of all ages and abilities to join. Trophies and medals are handed out at the end of the eight-week-long competition for the best team, but it’s having fun that’s the main objective at this team sport activity.
You play with Duplays:
If you’re keen to jump straight into the action, then check out Duplays, the largest recreational sports league organizing body in the UAE. It has an Abu Dhabi branch that runs events covering different sports throughout the year for men and women in both gender-specific and mixed leagues.
Other Sports:
You can find facilities for a lot of sports including shooting and archery, rock climbing, powerboat racing, polo, bowling, and canoeing.
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