Emirates Sports Group officially introduces Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments, the world’s first sports hotel specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of athletes and sports enthusiasts. Located in the heart of
Dubai Sports City, this groundbreaking establishment offers comprehensive and unique training, nutrition, recovery, and relaxation services, creating a sports community ecosystem and thus setting a new global standard in sports hospitality.
Emirates Sports Group has created a unique sports ecosystem in Dubai, the first of its kind in the Middle East, unparalleled worldwide. Such an ecosystem has become a true trend in sports tourism from the UAE. Emirates Sports Group is transforming the format of international sports and tourism.
“Emirates Sports Group is creating a unique sports ecosystem at Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments, the first of its kind in the Middle East, bringing together various sports initiatives. We are not only driving innovation in the sports industry but also developing new sports from the UAE, which are becoming international trends and shaping the future of global sports. No one in the region is doing anything like this in the sports industry. We are proud to be the first in the UAE to create an international sports community, to launch the world’s first sports hotel, and to elevate the UAE and the Middle East as innovators in global sports,” – CEO of Emirates Sports Group Vladimir Burdun.
Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments is pioneering a new form of sports tourism, where the focus is on maintaining an active lifestyle and recovery through sports for all guests. This unique combination of comfortable accommodation, minimalist design, and sports facilities allows hotel guests to continue their workouts right in their rooms, using built-in fitness equipment. Particular attention is paid to the finer details, including exclusive furnishings, panoramic windows that flood the rooms with natural light, and orthopedic mattresses designed to ensure optimal recovery after physical activity.
Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments is not just a pioneering establishment but a symbol of the UAE’s growing influence in the global sports industry. By fostering a unique blend of world-class training, recovery, and entertainment services, the hotel
sets the stage for athletes and sports enthusiasts to excel, while positioning the UAE as a premier destination for sports tourism and innovation.
Expanding Sports Tourism in the UAE
In addition to the Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments, Emirates Sports Group has announced plans to expand its network of sports hotels across the Middle East. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s efforts to position itself as a global hub for sports innovation and tourism. Dubai is now gaining recognition as a leading destination for sports tourism.
With its strategic location and direct access to world-class facilities, the hotel has already attracted international teams, athletes, and tourists seeking a sports-centric experience. The hotel is poised to host training camps, tournaments, and international competitions, helping drive the UAE’s growing sports tourism industry.
Emirates Sports Hotel has had the pleasure of hosting a variety of esteemed
international sports teams. The hotel has already accommodated guests from:
- USA Cricket National Team
- New Zealand Swimming Olympic Team
- Saudi Arabia Triathlon Team
- National Strongman Champions
- Serbian Boxing Federation
- Australia national rugby sevens team
It also regularly welcomes the following teams:
- United FC
- City Football Club
- Al Rams FC
- Rodina Youth FC
These teams, alongside many others, recognize Emirates Sports Hotel as their preferred destination for high-performance training, recovery, and international competitions.
Unique Features and Location
Surrounding the hotel are world-class stadiums and sports facilities for various sports, including the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (25,000 capacity), FitRepublik (the largest fitness center in Dubai), indoor and outdoor FIFA-approved football grounds, the Cricket Academy, an Olympic-sized pool, ISD Padel Courts, tennis courts, and golf clubs such as The Els Club, Arabian Ranches, and Damac Hills — all fully accessible to the hotel guests.
Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments features 8 penthouse apartments, 40 hotel apartments and 144 sports-themed hotel rooms which are equipped for in-room training, a unique offering that ensures athletes can maintain their routines and optimize performance without leaving the comfort of their accommodations. Hotel guests as well as other Dubia visitors can participate in free daily training sessions led by professional coaches.
The hotel sets a new trend in sports hospitality offering a comprehensive approach to the services it provides. Thus, for instance, at its very own region’s first sports spa it offers professional sports massages, rehabilitation, and recovery treatments designed to enhance both physical and mental resilience after workouts and competitions. In a fast-paced, stress-filled, and digitally saturated world, this facility recognizes the growing importance of balancing physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
The hotel’s sports restaurant, the first of its kind in the UAE, offers a nutrition-focused menu crafted with input from professional sports physicians, catering to athletes and health-conscious visitors alike. Alongside its innovative sports spa, these holistic services ensure guests can sustain peak performance throughout their stay. Together, these unique offerings position the hotel as a premier destination for training camps, international sports events, and cutting-edge sports competitions.
Innovative Sports Ecosystem
Emirates Sports Group’s CEO, Vladimir Burdun, who has lived in the UAE for over 30 years, brings his vision and passion for sports to life with this project. His pioneering efforts overtime have significantly contributed to the UAE’s sports industry, particularly in promoting ice hockey.
“We are excited to introduce Emirates Sports Hotel as an innovative solution for athletes and sports enthusiasts from around the world. This is not just a hotel; it is a fully integrated sports facility designed to enhance athletic performance, support recovery,
and provide a first-class experience to all who are passionate about sports. We believe that this format represents the future of sports tourism and hospitality. We are proud to have brought this ambitious project to life, where every guest can experience a new quality of life through sports. Our hotel is designed to offer the perfect environment for training and recovery for athletes and sports lovers globally. We aim to support the sports community and inspire people to lead active and healthy lifestyles. Our hotel provides unique opportunities for training and recovery, creating an ideal setting for maximum productivity in life. And this is just the beginning of our journey in sports”, – said Vladimir Burdun, CEO of Emirates Sports Group.
Beyond the hotel, and as part of the innovative sports ecosystem, Emirates Sports Group has developed a range of projects, including the soon-to-open Emirates Sports Ice Rink—the first professional ice arena in the Middle East—alongside other ventures like the Emirates Sports Store, Emirates Sports Events, and Emirates Sports Real Estate Broker, all Dubai-based. These efforts cement the UAE’s leadership in the sports and hospitality sectors (a separate press-release will be issued on this topic).
Event Hosting: 670+ Events Annually
In addition to training and accommodation, Emirates Sports Hotel Apartments also serves as a prime venue for hosting local and international events, with over 670 events annually (2024-25 season). These include:
- 50+ Social Entertainment Events: Stand-up comedy, live music, theater
- 150+ Sports Broadcast Events: Watching matches on a big screen
- 30+ Sports Life Events: Sporting competitions, awards
- 50+ Movie Nights: Open-air screenings
- 15+ Concerts: Large performances
- 10+ Festivals: Oktoberfest, Christmas, Halloween
- 365+ Partnership Activities: Yoga, CrossFit, quizzes in partnership with At The Park fitness community.
New Sports Initiatives
Emirates Sports Group also introduces new sports initiatives to the global stage, among them is World Strongman. Governed by the World Strongman International Union it marks the first time that a new sport from the Middle East has begun its path to Olympic recognition. Also, the Association of Development of Corporate Sports (ADCS) – established by Emirates Sports Group, stands as a testament to the group’s commitment to enriching the sports landscape across all sectors, and the Emirates Sports Fight League – a new combat sports promotion, with fights held on the hotel grounds. This enhances the UAE’s growing role in shaping the future of sports.
Moreover, Emirates Sports is an esteemed official sponsor of the Dubai Basketball
Team and the Falcons Academy Dubai athletes, a partnership that plays a crucial role in the hotel’s commitment to supporting elite athletes. The team members are staying at
the hotel with full access to all training facilities for the entire 2024-25 season, underscoring the significance of this collaboration.
Strong Global Partnerships
To date, more than 40 renowned international companies have partnered with Emirates Sports Group to further its vision, including AIMS, IFMA, Sport Accord, United Through Sport, the International Hockey Federation, Dubai Sports Council, Department of Economy & Tourism, Dubai Sports City, Coca-Cola Arena, CCM, and Buka Boxing. These collaborations bolster Emirates Sports Group’s commitment to elevating sports tourism and innovation on a global scale, positioning the UAE as a world leader in these sectors.
The hotel is also expanding into Esports, partnering with renowned companies like Colizeum to create a 24/7 dedicated esports zone on the property on the grounds of Emirates Sports Hotel.
