What’s on tap: Sports in the Middle East for 2022
Over the last decade, the Middle East has become a hot spot (no pun intended) for major sporting events. Whether it is big-time boxing matches, high-profile golf events, fast-paced Formula One races, or the biggest football tournament in the world, the Middle East is the place to be for sports fans at the end of 2022.
The region’s growth as a destination for major sporting events has been helped by it being popular with travellers. Countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar receive millions of tourists per year. Major sporting events are just another attraction provided by the petrol-rich nations as they attempt to diversify themselves for the future.
This year has been a breakout year for the Middle East in terms of sports. With the FIFA World Cup on the horizon and other major events set for 2023, more sports fans will discover the region’s wealth of exciting options.
2022 FIFA World Cup – Qatar
November 21 – December 18
On November 21, the world’s biggest sporting event will kick off in Qatar at the Al Thumama Stadium as the Netherlands face Senegal. The tournament’s first match will expose the tiny Middle East nation of Qatar to the wider world and put it on the level of nearby neighbours the UAE.
The FIFA World Cup will welcome 32 teams to Qatar from November 21 to December 18. The tournament will be the first-ever World Cup held in the Middle East. Eight innovative stadiums have been constructed for the tournament and thousands of football fans will descend on Qatar for the World Cup Finals tournament.
The World Cup will be broadcast around the globe, giving Qatar a reach, it has never had before. More than 10 years of preparations have gone into Qatar’s World Cup and the pride of a nation will be on display.
Joshua vs. Usyk II – Saudi Arabia
August 20
In September 2021, Oleksandr Usyk shocked the boxing world by defeating Anthony Joshua for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles in London by Unanimous Decision.
The heavyweight boxers are now set for a rematch on Saturday, August 20. The fight will emanate from the 40,000-seater Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua versus Usyk II will be the fight of the year and the winner could face Tyson Fury in the ultimate unification bout.
NBA: Bucks vs. Hawks – Abu Dhabi
October 6-8
In a first for the NBA, the basketball league will hold two preseason games in Abu Dhabi on October 6 and October 8, ahead of the 2022-23 season.
The Milwaukee Bucks, winners of the 2021 NBA Finals, will play the Atlanta Hawks in both games. The games will be played at the Etihad Arena as part of the 2022 NBA Abu Dhabi Games.
LIV Golf Invitational Series – Saudi Arabia
October 14-16
The Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf Invitational has disrupted the sport. The richest golf tour in the world has attracted a number of big-name players from the PGA Tour.
On October 14th to October 16th, the LIV Golf Invitational Series will arrive in Jeddah its penultimate event of the inaugural season. The tournament’s prize purse is set at $20 million for individual players. Although the tournament has been controversial for a number of reasons, it has been a success for many of the players.
The Jeddah tournament will bring the LIV Golf Invitational Series home to Saudi Arabia. The event will be held at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, the premier setting for golf in the Middle East.
Floyd Mayweather vs. Don “Dangerous” Moore – Dubai
October 15
Not to be out done, Floyd “Money” Mayweather is set to fight on Saturday, October 15, 2022 against Don “Dangerous” Moore. The fight will be in Dubai atop the world-famous Burj Khalifa building.
The biggest boxing draw in the world will compete on top of the world’s tallest building in a first-time ever event. The bout will take place on the Burj Khalifa’s helipad. On the undercard, Anderson Silva and Bruno Machado will touch gloves in another match between two well-known boxers.
Making the bout even more intriguing is that it is the world’s first sporting event to have NFT tickets that can only be purchased via cryptocurrency. The tickets also unlock limited edition 3D sports collectibles.
WWE Crown Jewel – Saudi Arabia
November 5
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) was one of the first global sports/entertainment companies to enter the Middle East market. The company has been touring the Middle East since the 1990s when it was known as WWF. In fact, the region hosted wrestling events dating back to pre-WWF times in the 1970s and 1980s.
On November 5, 2022, WWE will run its annual Crown Jewel event in Riyadh. This year’s Crown Jewel will be the eighth WWE event held in Saudi Arabia. The company has a 10-year partnership with Saudi Arabia and is working together with the country on its 2030 Vision.
Although the WWE hasn’t confirmed the wrestlers that will feature on Crown Jewel, the show should have some of the world of wrestling’s biggest names.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Abu Dhabi
November 20
The Yas Marina Circuit is one of the most unique motorsports venues in the world today. It regularly provides an incredible backdrop to Formula One’s biggest race of the season.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the final race of the Formula One season, making it a make-or-break event for the teams and drivers in the racing league.
On November 20, Formula One will return to the Yas Marina Circuit for the latest edition of the race. In 2021, the circuit hosted controversy as Max Verstappen won the world title beating out Lewis Hamilton. The Yas Marina Circuit could once again see Verstappen win the championship.
Dubai Rugby 7s – Dubai
December 1-3
The Dubai Rugby 7s series is one of the biggest events to hit the UAE. In 2021, 85,000 fans attended the Rugby 7s series in Dubai and this year’s event is expected to be even bigger.
The rugby tournament will be held from December 1st to December 3rd and Dubai’s Emirates Stadium will once again play host to the annual event. Rugby is just one of the reasons to attend the event. The food menu is mouth-watering and keeps fans coming back for more.
