Author: Rashid Mohammed
Published: May 29, 2025
Category: Business Activity
The UAE's rapidly growing population, diverse culture, and focus on health and wellness have created a robust demand for sports and recreation activities. This presents a significant opportunity for businesses in this sector.
The UAE's growing population has led to a higher demand for sports and recreational activities. This growth is fueled by both domestic factors and the influx of expatriates. There is a growing emphasis on health and wellness in the UAE, with more people adopting an active lifestyle. This has led to a surge in demand for sports and recreational activities.
The UAE's diverse population, which includes people from various countries and cultures, has created a demand for a wide range of sports and recreational activities. This diversity has also led to the emergence of specialised sports clubs and training programs catering to specific cultural preferences.
The UAE government has been actively promoting sports and recreation, investing in sports infrastructure and organising sporting events. This government support has helped to create a favourable environment for the sports and recreation industry.
The UAE's thriving tourism industry attracts millions of visitors each year, creating a demand for sports and recreational activities. This provides opportunities for businesses to cater to both local residents and tourists.
If you want to set up a Sports and Recreation Activities Business in the UAE, you can choose from the following 13 business activity categories:
This category encompasses a wide range of sports activities that do not fall under the more specific categories mentioned earlier. This may include various sports and recreational activities, such as amateur sports leagues, sports clubs, sports training programs, and other sports-related activities.
Examples of activities include:
This category focuses on the activities of individuals or organisations that produce or promote sports events. This includes activities such as organising sporting competitions, securing venues, marketing and promoting events, and managing the logistics of events.
Examples of activities include:
Regulatory Requirements:
This category encompasses the activities of individual sportsmen and athletes who compete in sports for their own account, as well as the activities of referees, judges, timekeepers, and other individuals involved in sports events.
Examples of activities include:
Regulatory Requirements:
This category focuses on the activities of sports leagues and regulating bodies. Sports leagues organise and oversee sporting competitions, while regulating bodies establish rules and standards for sports.
Examples of activities include:
This category encompasses activities related to the promotion of sporting events. This includes marketing, advertising, public relations, and other activities aimed at increasing awareness and attendance of sports events.
Examples of activities include:
Regulatory Requirements:
This category focuses on the activities of racing stables, kennels, and garages involved in horse racing, dog racing, and other racing sports. These businesses may breed, train, and care for animals used in racing, as well as manage racing stables and kennels.
Examples of activities include:
This category encompasses the operation of sport fishing and hunting preserves. These preserves provide controlled environments for individuals to engage in sport fishing and hunting activities.
Examples of activities include:
This category focuses on the activities of mountain guides. Mountain guides provide assistance and expertise to individuals who are hiking, climbing, or exploring mountainous regions.
Examples of activities include:
This category encompasses support activities related to sport or recreational hunting and fishing. This may include providing equipment, supplies, training, and other services to individuals who engage in these activities.
Examples of activities include:
This category focuses on the activities of sports consultants. Sports consultants provide advice and expertise on various aspects of sports, such as athlete performance, team management, and event planning.
Examples of activities include:
Regulatory Requirements:
This category encompasses the activities of managing gaming teams. Gaming teams are groups of individuals who compete in video games. Gaming team management involves recruiting players, training teams, and managing team operations.
Examples of activities include:
Regulatory Requirements:
This category focuses on the activities of sports brokerage services. Sports brokerage services represent athletes and negotiate contracts on their behalf. These services may also provide other support services to athletes, such as marketing and public relations.
Examples of activities include:
Regulatory Requirements:
This class excludes the following activities:
The following business activities require pre-license approval from Sports and Youth Authority Sharjah:
All other business activities do not require third-party approval.
The filing of Economic Substance Returns does not apply to the business activities mentioned in this article.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance requirements do not apply to the business activities mentioned in this article.
There are 13 business activity categories available: 9319.00 (Other sports activities), 9319.01 (Activities of producers or promoters of sports events), 9319.02 (Activities of individual sportsmen and athletes), 9319.03 (Activities of sports leagues and regulating bodies), 9319.04 (Activities related to promotion of sporting events), 9319.05 (Activities of racing stables, kennels and garages), 9319.06 (Operation of sport fishing and hunting preserves), 9319.07 (Activities of mountain guides), 9319.08 (Support activities for sport or recreational hunting and fishing), 9319.12 (Sports consultancy), 9319.13 (Gaming Team Management), and 9319.15 (Sports brokerage service).
Six business activities require pre-license approval from Sports and Youth Authority Sharjah: 9319.01 (producers/promoters of sports events), 9319.02 (individual sportsmen and athletes), 9319.04 (promotion of sporting events), 9319.12 (sports consultancy), 9319.13 (gaming team management), and 9319.15 (sports brokerage service). The other activities do not require third-party approval.
No, the filing of Economic Substance Returns does not apply to the sports and recreation business activities mentioned in this guide.
No, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance requirements do not apply to the sports and recreation business activities mentioned in this guide.
Explore other guides in the Activity Hub for exploring unique business ideas in Dubai and navigate the essentials of business setup with ease.
You can also calculate your business setup costs easily using the cost calculator and choose from customized company setup packages to find your perfect fit.
Get your business license in the UAE today and explore a world of opportunities waiting for you.