Dubai announces new sports and entertainment Free Zone

The UAE has announced ISEZA, set to be the nation's first dedicated sports and entertainment business cluster within the Free Zone environment.

ISEZA will serve as an industry-focused business hub facilitating licensing for distinct sports and entertainment business activities and ecosystem to support and accelerate the industry’s growth. ISEZA will serve as a dedicated hub to support the thriving sports and entertainment business sector in the UAE and the wider Middle East.

Dubai’s sports industry contributes approximately $2.5 billion (AED 9.1 billion) annually to the Emirates’ economy. The UAE has also been a pioneer in Economic Zones development, with over 40 Free Zones focusing on various industries.

The Zone will provide a unified platform for licensing businesses across established sectors, such as sports management and marketing, event management, talent representation and media and broadcasting, while also supporting growth in emerging areas like e-sports, AI-driven sports tech, fan tokens. The Zone will be home to a diverse range of industry players including global brands, sports leagues and franchises, rights owners and investors, sports and talent agencies, artists, sports and media personalities, social media influencers and creative industries professionals.

ISEZA will offer comprehensive corporate and legal support tailored to its members, working closely with key UAE authorities, such as the UAE Ministry of Sports, Dubai Sports Council, UAE National Olympic Community, and others.

The Zone will also attract international and regional sports organisations, such as sports federations, associations and leagues, both in established and emerging sports. With its exceptional global connectivity, world-class infrastructure, investor-friendly policies and favourable tax regime, Dubai offers a strong competitive advantage for hosting global sports organisations.

Located in One Central, in Dubai’s dynamic business district, next to the Dubai Museum of the Future, ISEZA will shape the future of sports & entertainment industry growth in the years to come and will become a new center of gravity for the industry entrepreneurs, professionals, enthusiasts, and talents.