Abu Dhabi will host the World Kickboxing Championships for the first time in the Middle East in November 2025, welcoming 2,000 athletes from 150 nations.
ABU DHABI: The UAE has achieved another milestone in global sports as Abu Dhabi prepares to host the World Kickboxing Championships 2025 for Masters and Seniors — the first time the event will be held outside Europe and in the Middle East. Scheduled for 21–30 November at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the championship is set to attract 2,000 athletes representing 150 countries.
The announcement was made during the official signing ceremony between the World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (WAKO) and the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, attended by WAKO President Roy Baker and UAE Federation Board Member Ali Khoury.
Abdullah Saeed Al Neyadi, President of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, described the event as a “historic achievement” and a significant reflection of international confidence in the UAE’s capabilities to host world-class sporting events. He emphasised that the championship reaffirms the country’s role as a growing global hub for combat sports, empowered by the visionary support of the UAE leadership.
Roy Baker expressed pride in bringing the championship to Abu Dhabi, highlighting the UAE’s swift rise in the international kickboxing scene and its readiness to host such a large-scale event. “With 2,000 athletes from 150 countries, this is a new chapter for kickboxing globally,” he said.
Ali Khoury echoed the sentiment, noting that hosting this event in an Arab nation marks a transformative moment for the sport and further strengthens the UAE’s position as a sports destination on the world map.
The championship also provides a platform to showcase the UAE’s rapid development in combat sports infrastructure, talent cultivation, and global partnerships — aligning with the country’s broader ambition to become a leading hub for international athletics and sports diplomacy.
