Sports and Wellness: How Abu Dhabi is Promoting Active Living in 2025

In 2025, Abu Dhabi is stepping into a new era—one defined not just by its skyline or luxury, but by how well its people live. Across the city, a quiet shift is taking place. You can see it in the early-morning joggers along the Corniche. You can hear it in the echo of basketballs bouncing inside air-conditioned arenas. And you can feel it in the rising energy of a population that’s embracing an active, healthier lifestyle.

At the heart of this movement is a simple but powerful idea: wellness should be accessible, inclusive, and part of everyday life. Whether it’s through large public events, neighbourhood cycling routes, or forward-thinking public health policies, Abu Dhabi is investing in its people—and making wellness a shared priority.

Abu Dhabi Summer Sport: The Season’s Biggest Wellness Event

If you’re looking for the biggest sign of this shift, you’ll find it under one roof. From 8 June to 21 August 2025, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) will host the much-anticipated Abu Dhabi Summer Sport event, transforming over 30,000 square metres into the largest indoor sports venue in the region.

The event offers a wide range of activities: from indoor football, basketball and padel courts to a 1km running track, CrossFit zones, yoga sessions, and recovery lounges. All of it is fully air-conditioned and open to the public. It’s not a place for just athletes—it’s for families, beginners, school kids, and professionals alike.

And it’s not just about physical fitness. A special wellness zone within the venue focuses on mental well-being, including guided meditation, breathwork, and stress-relief sessions. It’s a full-circle approach to health, all under one roof.

Child Protection in Sports

As part of this ongoing wellness movement, the UAE’s latest news highlights a major new initiative by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Community Development: the launch of a Child Protection Policy in Sports Entities.

This policy is designed to ensure that children participating in sports across the emirate are kept safe through strict standards, trained staff, and clear reporting systems. It’s a timely move, especially as summer activities for young people increase and more children take part in organised sports through events like Abu Dhabi Summer Sport.

By focusing on safety alongside participation, the government is reinforcing that sports in the UAE are not just about physical performance—but also about community care, inclusion, and long-term well-being.

Building a City You Can Walk and Ride Through

Beyond event spaces like ADNEC, the city itself is becoming a fitness zone. Over the last year, Abu Dhabi has been expanding its walking and cycling infrastructure, making it easier than ever to stay active throughout the year.

New dedicated cycling tracks and shaded walkways have been built in neighbourhoods like Al Hudayriyat Island, Reem Island, and Khalifa City. These aren’t just token paths—they include smart lighting, hydration points, safety signage, and even rental stations for public bikes.

This infrastructure is transforming how residents interact with the city. More people are walking to work, cycling with their families, or enjoying early evening runs through green spaces designed for movement. The goal is clear: fitness should be built into the daily routine, not limited to gyms and clubs.

Health Is Not Just Physical: The Rise of Holistic Wellness

Abu Dhabi’s wellness agenda doesn’t end at sport. It’s also about how we eat, how we rest, and how we manage stress.

In 2025, more companies across the capital have introduced employee wellness programmes, from lunchtime yoga to stress-reduction workshops. Schools are running nutrition and mental health awareness campaigns. Restaurants are adding healthier, plant-forward dishes to their menus. And wellness cafés—once a niche—are now mainstream.

Even community centres are getting involved, offering free or low-cost classes in Zumba, meditation, martial arts, and more. This broader, more inclusive idea of wellness means that even small changes, like taking the stairs, eating a balanced lunch, or joining a walking club—are being recognised and celebrated.

A Movement That Includes Everyone

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Abu Dhabi’s active living push is its focus on inclusivity.

The Abu Dhabi Summer Sport event features family-friendly pricing, women-only areas, and accessible zones for people of determination. Meanwhile, walking tracks in public parks are being designed with ramps and railings for wheelchair users. Fitness is no longer reserved for the elite—it’s being designed for all.

Children, too, are a major focus. Many public schools now have partnerships with local sports academies, giving students the chance to try everything from swimming and football to martial arts and tennis. The earlier wellness becomes a habit, the better their future health outcomes.

Wellness as a Way of Life

This isn’t a short-term campaign or trend. It’s the beginning of a permanent shift in the way Abu Dhabi lives.

With green corridors being planned, new cycling lanes on the way, and neighbourhood parks evolving into fitness hubs, the infrastructure is taking shape to support long-term change. The leadership is clearly committed to a future where Abu Dhabi is recognised not only for its development and innovation, but for the health and happiness of its people.

Whether you’re a parent looking to keep your kids busy during the summer, a young professional wanting to find balance, or a senior trying to stay mobile—Abu Dhabi is actively creating space for you to be well.

Final Thoughts

Abu Dhabi’s investment in sport and wellness is no longer a footnote—it’s a defining feature of how the city is growing. With major public events like Abu Dhabi Summer Sport, neighbourhood-focused planning, and policies that protect and empower individuals, the capital is fast becoming a model for active living in the region.

This summer, whether you’re trying something new at ADNEC, cycling on a shaded track, or joining a free community fitness class, remember—you’re not alone. You’re part of a movement. And it’s one that’s designed to make every resident stronger, healthier, and more connected to the city they call home.