With just four days to go, the energy in Abu Dhabi is impossible to miss. Across the city, venues are transforming, hubs are rising, stands are being assembled, and teams are working around the clock. Behind the scenes, an enormous operation is unfolding, all in preparation to welcome more than 21,000 participants to the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 in over 30 sports.
This isn’t just another sporting event. It’s a global celebration of movement, determination, and the belief that passion does not fade with age. Athletes from 143 nationalities turning their shared passion for sport into purpose showing up every day for themselves through being active.
A City Becoming a Sporting Stage
Across Abu Dhabi’s world-class facilities, transformation is happening in real time. Competition venues are being fine-tuned, athlete hubs are taking shape, and event villages are coming to life. From signage and accreditation centers to warm-up zones and grandstands, every detail is being carefully prepared.
The scale is impressive, but what we find even more powerful is the energy and purpose behind it. The Open Masters Games are about giving adults from around the world the chance to compete, connect, and celebrate an active lifestyle.
A Different Kind of Greatness
At the same time, the world’s attention is on the Winter Olympics in Italy, where elite athletes are delivering extraordinary performances at the Winter Olympics Milano Cortina 2026. Records are being broken. Medals are being won.
Here in Abu Dhabi, something equally inspiring is happening, just in a different way.
The Open Masters Games prove that sport isn’t reserved for the young or the professional. It belongs to everyone. Adults of all ages are stepping onto the field, track, court, and pool to show that commitment, joy, and ambition don’t come with an expiration date.
Passion doesn’t age. Goals don’t disappear. And the choice to stay active is always yours.
Over 21,000 Stories, One Festival
More than 21,000 athletes will join in Abu Dhabi, each with their own story. Some are lifelong competitors chasing new milestones. Others are rediscovering sport after years away. Many are simply here for the joy of participation.
Together, they will create a festival of sport that celebrates resilience, community, and lifelong wellbeing. This is about showcasing an active lifestyle to the world. It’s about proving that whether you are 30, 50, 70, or beyond, there is always a lane to swim in, a court to step onto, a race to run.
Sergii Bubka, President of the IMGA, shared his excitement about the upcoming event in Abu Dhabi: “What moves me most about the Masters Games is not the results or the records, it is the people. These Games represent a lifetime of passion, commitment, and love for sport. Every participant carries a story of perseverance, balance and belief. Seeing thousands of people come together, still choosing to move, to challenge themselves, and to celebrate sport at every stage of life, that is truly inspiring. I am very much looking forward to being part of this moment.”
Excellence in Every Detail
Abu Dhabi is ready to deliver a truly unforgettable experience. Athletes can expect high-end facilities, seamless organisation, and the warm hospitality the city is known for. Every competition hub is designed not only for performance but also for connection — spaces where athletes, frienda and family can meet, share stories, and build friendships across borders.
This is more than competition. It’s a celebration of possibility.
The Countdown Begins
With just four days remaining, anticipation is building. The city is poised. The venues are nearly set. The final preparations are underway.
Very soon, the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 will begin, and the world will see something powerful: that sport has no age limit, that passion can last a lifetime, and that the decision to stay active is one of the greatest victories of all.
Abu Dhabi is ready. And we can’t wait to welcome the world to a sports festival that promises to be an experience to remember.
