It will serve as an industry-focused business hub facilitating licensing for distinct sports and entertainment business activities, fostering a unique collaborative ecosystem to support and accelerate the industry’s growth.
Dubai’s sports industry contributes approximately $2.5 billion annually to the Emirates’ economy. The UAE has also been a pioneer in Economic Zones development, with over 40 Free Zones focusing on various industries. ISEZA will serve as a dedicated hub to support the thriving sports and entertainment business sector in the UAE and the wider Middle East.
The Zone will provide a unified platform for licensing businesses across established sectors, such as sports management and marketing, event management, talent representation and media and broadcasting, while also supporting growth in emerging areas like e-sports, AI-driven sports tech, and fan tokens. The Zone will be home to a diverse range of industry players, including global brands, sports leagues and franchises, rights owners and investors, sports and talent agencies, artists, sports and media personalities, social media influencers and creative industries professionals.
ISEZA will offer comprehensive corporate and legal support tailored to its members, working 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, emphasised DWTC’s long-standing legacy in hosting major 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).”
The Zone will also attract international and regional sports organizations, such as sports federations, associations and leagues, both in established and emerging sports. With its exceptional global connectivity, world-class infrastructure, investor-friendly policies and favourable tax regime, Dubai offers a strong competitive advantage for hosting global sports organizations.
ISEZA CEO, Mr. Damir Valeev, added, “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”.
Located in One Central, in Dubai’s dynamic business district, next to the Dubai Museum of the Future, ISEZA will shape the future of sports & entertainment industry growth in the years to come and will become a new center of gravity for the industry entrepreneurs, professionals, enthusiasts, and talents.
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