Dubai Games 2025 Kicks Off with Thrilling Battle of the Government Contests

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Dubai Games 2025, the city’s biggest team sports event, officially started today at Dubai Festival City. The tournament, now in its sixth edition, is 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 opening day was packed with thrilling action, as teams competed fiercely in the Battle of the Government category for men and women. Participants showcased incredible teamwork, energy, and determination in a bid to claim the top positions in their respective competitions.

Exciting Start to the Tournament

Dubai Games 2025 will continue until 23 February and is organised in official partnership with DP World. The event also has diamond sponsorship from DAMAC and Emarat and is hosted in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council.

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The first day of the event featured intense battles in the Battle of the Government for Women, where 26 teams competed at a high level, delivering outstanding performances. After several competitive rounds, four teams secured their spots in the final, which will take place on Sunday, 23 February. The finalists are:

Ministry of Defence team – 93.06 points

Ministry of Education team – 69.31 points

Dubai Police team – 62.54 points

Dubai Health team – 61.03 points

Meanwhile, the Battle of the Government for Men began with its first and second heats. Contestants faced tough tests of endurance, strength, and teamwork. The top four teams advancing to the finals will be announced on Friday evening, setting up an exciting showdown for Sunday’s grand finale.

Praise for Team Spirit and Competition

Marwan bin Essa, Director of Dubai Games, praised the energy and passion displayed by the participants. He said, “Dubai Games 2025 has started with incredible enthusiasm, and the teams have shown excellent teamwork, strategy, and competitive spirit. Today’s performances prove why this championship is one of Dubai’s most exciting sporting events. We expect even more thrilling moments as the competition moves forward.”

In the coming days, the competition will become even more intense as the Battle of the Government for Men reaches its final stages. Additionally, the Battle of the Community and the Battle of the Cities will begin, bringing more exciting challenges to the tournament.

Commitment to Global Standards

Khalid Balhoul, In-charge of the Refereeing Committee and a member of the Organising Committee, explained how Dubai Games follows international officiating standards. “We use a highly accurate scoring system to ensure fair competition. Every team is judged based on teamwork, strategy, and both physical and mental performance. To maintain transparency, our scoring criteria are available on our website,” he said.

The registration process for this year’s event was also improved to offer a smoother experience for participants. Aber Abdeen, who oversees registration for the Battle of the Government, shared, “We refined the registration process to make it easier. Teams were able to select their preferred rounds while signing up, giving them more flexibility. This year, 26 women’s teams and 84 men’s teams have joined, making Dubai Games one of the biggest government-focused sports competitions.”

Strong Support from Sponsors and Partners

Dubai Games has continued to attract strong support from major public and private sector partners. This year’s official partner is DP World, while DAMAC and Emarat serve as diamond sponsors. The event also has gold sponsorship from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), First Abu Dhabi Bank, and M42. Other supporting sponsors include C4, Dubai Festival City, Al Futtaim Automotive, Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du), Dubai Media Incorporated, and Arabian Radio Network. Adidas, Viya, and Mai Dubai have also joined as sponsors.

A Grand Sporting Event with Over 240 Teams

Dubai Games 2025 features 244 teams competing across different categories:

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

50 teams in the Battle of the Cities

56 teams in the Battle of Juniors, which took place on 8 February at DAMAC HILLS

The main event will take place from 20 to 23 February at Dubai Festival City, with an impressive total prize pool of over AED 3.1 million.

Encouraging a Healthy and Active Lifestyle

With its fresh identity, Dubai Games 2025 aims to inspire people to stay active and lead a healthier lifestyle. The event promotes values like ambition, resilience, and teamwork—qualities that reflect Dubai’s vibrant spirit.

For updates and highlights from Dubai Games 2025, follow @DubaiGames on Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube.