We Ditched the Gym for These 7 Sports Complexes in Dubai
One time, me and my pals showed up at a sports venue ready to play basketball—no booking, just vibes. Bad idea. The slots were full, even on a weekday. But since we were already in our sports attire and hyped up, I figured we’d make the most of it.
Next thing we knew, we were joining a yoga class. We’d seen people doing it in movies and it looked pretty chill. But, yeah no. Five minutes in, we realized touching our toes was basically an extreme sport! Turns out, we were not as flexible as we thought.
Lesson learned: always book in advance. And if we ever wing it again, we’ll make sure the Dubai sports complex we chose has plenty of backup activities. Here are some of the best ones for us below.
Where can I play sports in Dubai?
There are a bunch of venues where you can play sports in Dubai! Get active at well-equipped spots, like Dubai Sports World, Hamdan Sports Complex, and Dubai Autodrome.
Dubai Sports World
Media credit: dubaisportsworld
Website: http://www.dubaisportsworld.ae/
Address: Dubai World Trade Centre 6 – Za’abeel Hall 6 Al Mustaqbal Street – Za’abeel Hall
Contact Details: +971 800 3982, [email protected], [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 12 AM
Fees:
- Court Rentals – starts at AED 50 per hour
- Gym Access – Free
Can’t choose which sport to play? Dubai Sports World is a massive indoor sports venue, the largest in the UAE, offering 10 different sports across 40 courts!
It features multi-sport courts for football, basketball, padel, table tennis, volleyball, tennis, badminton, cricket, pickleball, and teqball (which combines elements of football and table tennis).
On top of that, we love that there’s a kid’s area! This offers supervised soft play areas, adventure zones, trampolines, giant inflatable slides, and crafts corners for ages 5 to 10 years. Younger kids are also welcome with an adult.
Good to know:
The cheapest paid parking spots around Dubai Sports World are at Za’abeel Plaza and Al Mustaqbal—AED 5 for the first 2 hours and AED 5 for each extra hour.
Not that outside food and drinks aren’t allowed inside, but you may bring your own water bottles.
Save time by registering via the venue’s mobile app! You can show your QR code at the entrance.
Hamdan Sports Complex
Media credit: hamdansc
Website: http://www.hamdansc.com/
Address: 3829+77 – Exit 611, Opp. Global Village – Emirates Rd
Contact Details: +971 4 306 2666, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Saturday to Thursday – 6 AM to 10 PM
- Friday – 6 AM to 6 PM
Fees:
- Public
- Single Entry – AED 60
- 1 Week – AED 160
- 1 Month – AED 500
- 3 Months AED – 1,350
Fancy taking a refreshing dip? Hamdan Sports Complex is the biggest aquatic sports center in the Middle East! It’s a multi-purpose indoor arena that hosts various sports events, including swimming, basketball, and martial arts.
We’re in awe that this complex features 2 high-tech Olympic-standard swimming pools too! Plus, this spot can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators for major badminton, tennis, volleyball, and water polo events.
Not only that, but it’s also handy for us that this location has a gym, sauna, and jacuzzi for men and women. Just note that while adults can use the pools, those under 18 must have a swimming club license to swim.
Handy hacks:
We recommend bringing snacks since Hamdan Sports Complex doesn’t have lots of food options.
This facility is also far from downtown, so we suggest bringing your car or using a ride-hailing app to keep things convenient.
Dubai Autodrome
Media credit: dubaiautodrome
Website: https://www.dubaiautodrome.ae/
Address: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Rd – Motor City
Contact Details: +971 4 367 8700, [email protected], [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Fees:
- Go-Karting
- Indoor Go-Karting (1 session for 15 minutes) – AED 135
- Outdoor Go-Karting (1 session for 15 minutes) – AED 150
- Indoor Kartdrome Promo at 9 am (online bookings for kids ages 7 to 12) – AED 99
- DAKA Level 1 & 2 (per term for kids ages 7 to 16) – AED 3,995
- Driving Experiences
- Formula DXB Max – AED 1,350
- Aston Martin Vantage – AED 2,000
- Ferrari 488 GT – AED 4,880
- Ferrari GT Experience – AED 3,500
- Porsche GT3 Experience – AED 3,250
- F1 Experience – AED 9,995
- BMW M2 – AED 1,250
- Mini JCW – AED 825
- BMW M240i – AED 1,050
- BMW M5 – AED 1,750
- BMW M3 Competition – AED 1,500
- BMW M4 Competition – AED 1,500
- Other Activities
- Laser Tag (annual registration) – AED 11
- Car Entry Fee – AED 420
- Grandstand Ticket – AED 30
If you need to satisfy your need for speed, Dubai Autodrome is a premier motorsport venue that hosts car and bike racing events. We’re thrilled that this is where you can drive 250 km/h without collecting a speeding ticket!
We also find it incredible that this venue showcases a 5.39-km Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile or FIA-sanctioned track with 6 layouts, a race school, and indoor and outdoor karting. FIA is the governing body for many international motorsports.
Friendly advice:
If you’re traveling by bus, be sure to double-check your stop. The correct stop is Motor City, Dubai Autodrome & Business Park 1, just a 5-minute walk from the Dubai Autodrome.
Google Maps might show a wrong bus stop, which might cause unnecessary walking for 45 minutes.
Hungry? We say head over to the restaurants available in the lower-view deck!
The Sevens Stadium
Media credit: thesevensstadium
Website: http://www.thesevens.ae/
Address: Al Ain Road – E66
Contact Details: +971 56 999 4600, +971 4 518 1333, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Fees:
- Dubai Rugby 7s tickets
- General Admission – start at AED 425 per day
- Weekend Passes – start at AED 550
- Reserved seating and hospitality packages are also available.
- Dubai Exiles Rugby Club Membership Fees
- Full-Season Membership for Women’s Rugby – AED 2,750 plus VAT
- Full-Season Membership for Touch and Vets Rugby – AED 1,100 plus VAT
- Full-Season Membership for Junior Netball – AED 2,995 plus VAT
- Full-Season Membership for Adult Netball – AED 2,100 plus VAT
Need a big and calm space for sports? The Sevens Stadium is a 44,000-capacity Dubai sports complex known for hosting rugby events and other sports competitions.
It features multiple pitches and facilities too, which we believe makes it versatile for local and international events. Moreover, it hosts the World Rugby Sevens Series, football, netball, basketball, cricket, tennis, athletics, and Aussie rules football. So much to see!
We appreciate that there are lots of food options here as well, so we bet you won’t have a hard time when you feel peckish.
Insider scoop:
Our advice is to wear sunscreen and bring a hat to The Sevens Stadium as finding a spot with shade here can be tricky.
Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex
Media credit: nas_sc
Address: 47HV+JW5 – Nad Al Sheba
Contact Details: +971 4 383 3833, [email protected] (NAS Run organizers), [email protected] (NAS Cycling Championship organizers), [email protected] (NAS Padel Championship organizers)
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 9 PM
Fees:
- CORE Membership – AED 199, or AED 139 per month for the first 3 months
- PLUS Membership – AED 249, or AED 174.30 per month for the first 3 months
Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex is a state-of-the-art facility that includes various sports courts for basketball, volleyball, and badminton, as well as outdoor football pitches.
We also think it’s cool that this spot’s a go-to for pro athletes, which goes from UFC fighters to Premier League teams like Manchester United.
Other than that, this spot has a 5,840-seat stadium for big events, as well as a health club with a gym, pool, sauna, and cool recovery equipment like a cryotherapy chamber.
Before you go:
Taxis could be unreliable around Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, so we recommend driving with your own vehicle or hiring a car with a designated driver to ensure a hassle-free trip home.
We suggest visiting during Ramadan! The complex hosts a sports tournament. Consider joining to win a cash prize!
Danube Sports World
Media credit: danubesportsworld
Website: https://danubesportsworld.com/
Address: 57H3+P29 Al Habtoor City – Al Meydan Rd
Contact Details: +971 800 3636, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 7 AM to 2 AM
- Friday to Saturday – 7 AM to 12 AM
Fees:
- Both Gold & Platinum Packages (1 Game)
- Padel – AED 450
- Football (5-a-side) – AED 400
- Football (7-a-side) – AED 900
- Basketball – AED 350
- Cricket (8-overs) – AED 400
- Cricket (16-overs) – AED 520
- Tennis – AED 250
- Badminton – AED 80
- Table Tennis – AED 30
- Gold Package (10 Games)
- Padel – AED 400, Offer Price AED 4,000
- Football (5-a-side) – AED 360, Offer Price AED 3,600
- Football (7-a-side) – AED 810, Offer Price AED 8,100
- Basketball – AED 315, Offer Price AED 3,150
- Cricket (8-overs) – AED 360, Offer Price AED 3,600
- Cricket (16-overs) – AED 470, Offer Price AED 4,700
- Tennis – AED 225, Offer Price AED 2,250
- Badminton – N/A
- Table Tennis – N/A
- Platinum Package (10 Games)
- Padel – AED 360, Offer Price AED 10,800
- Football (5-a-side) – AED 320, Offer Price AED 9,600
- Football (7-a-side) – AED 720, Offer Price AED 21,600
- Basketball – AED 280, Offer Price AED 8,400
- Cricket (8-overs) – AED 320, Offer Price AED 9,600
- Cricket (16-overs) – AED 420, Offer Price AED 12,600
- Tennis – AED 200, Offer Price AED 6,000
- Badminton – 64, Offer Price AED 1,920
- Table Tennis – N/A
Danube Sports World is a one-of-a-kind multi-sport arena spanning an area of 200,000 sq. ft. with a 25-meter air-inflated dome, making it among Dubai’s biggest indoor sports facilities.
We think it’s the ultimate spot for sports lovers, as it features 9 padel courts, 4 indoor cricket fields, 3 FIFA football pitches, 8 badminton courts, and 1 tennis court. We adore that it’s family-friendly too, with kids’ play areas and activities to engage them.
And if you’re holding an event, the team can provide a full range of facilities, including a microphone set and a media screen. We find it convenient that the venue has a cafe, shop, toilet, and changing rooms too.
Hot alert:
More often than not, it can get pretty hot at Danube Sports World. For us, it’s best to bring more towels and extra clothes—if you’re doing sports here, expect to get extra sweaty.
Apex Sports Academy
Media credit: apex_sportsacademy
Website: https://apexsports.ae/
Address: Al Asayl 72 72
Contact Details: +971 50 194 1309, +971 50 342 0709, [email protected], [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Fees:
- Swimming (Kids, Adults, Ladies Only) – starts at AED 89.80 for 1 session
- Swimming Analysis – starts at AED 315 for 1 session
- Boxing/Kickboxing – starts at AED 60.71 for 1 session
- Taekwondo for Adults and Kids – starts at AED 60.71 for 1 session
- Basketball for ages 4 to 17 – starts at AED 72.22 for 1 session
- Tennis Group Classes – starts at AED 106.35 for 1 session
Surprising the little ones with something fun and active? Apex Sports Academy is the go-to spot for kids and kids at heart.
It’s got everything from swimming and football to martial arts, dance, gymnastics, and more. Moreover, it has a gym and steam room, so sports and relaxation are all covered.
And if hardcore sports aren’t your children’s thing, we appreciate that there are dance and fitness classes too! In our opinion, these are handy alternatives that provide a fun and energetic atmosphere.
Cool idea:
Not sure which sport to pick for the kiddos at Apex Sports Academy? If they’ve got the time, why not consider different activities (mix and match!) to build all-around fitness?