Abu Dhabi: H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, and Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee for the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026, witnessed the signing of a sponsorship agreement between the games and ADNOC. Under the agreement, ADNOC will become the official Presenting Sponsor of the first-ever edition of the event to be held in the Middle East.
According to Emirates News Agency, the agreement was signed in the presence of Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, and Mohammed Al Junaibi, Vice Chairman of the Open Masters Abu Dhabi 2026 Organising Committee. The signatories were Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Saif Al Falahi, ADNOC, Director of Group Business Support and Special Tasks. Senior officials from both parties and prominent local athletes were also in attendance.
Furthermore, the event featured the official unveiling of the logo for the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026, which is inspired by the UAE's natural landscape, and the games' ethos of healthy living and community values. The ceremony underscored the leadership's long-term commitment to fostering social cohesion and pursuing active lifestyles, while positioning the UAE as a global hub for longevity and sport.
Aref Al Awani expressed delight in welcoming ADNOC as the Presenting Sponsor of the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026, highlighting the collaboration's reflection of shared commitment to empowering communities, promoting healthy lifestyles, and showcasing the UAE on the global sporting stage. He emphasized that with ADNOC's support, a world-class event celebrating inclusion, heritage, and excellence would be delivered, inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to embrace sport.
Saif Al Falahi stated that ADNOC is proud to support the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 as Presenting Sponsor, reinforcing a commitment to promoting healthier, more active lifestyles and stronger communities. He noted that in the UAE Year of Community, the event will harness the power of sports to unite communities, enhance wellbeing, and inspire national pride.
The Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 will take place in the UAE in February 2026 and are expected to welcome more than 25,000 participants from around the world. The games will feature 33 sports across multiple disciplines and age categories, including senior citizens, providing an inclusive experience for all. In a celebration of the UAE's heritage, the games will also feature traditional Emirati sports, including dhow sailing, falconry, and camel racing, alongside 18 disciplines open to People of Determination.
The Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 aims to go beyond sport, serving as a platform to enhance physical and mental wellbeing, encourage participation, and strengthen intergenerational bonds. The games are expected to positively impact several key sectors such as sport, tourism, and the economy, leaving a long-term and sustainable legacy.