The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge announced the championship in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, introducing a structured model designed to offer students more frequent competitive opportunities. More than 350 schools will participate in events spanning the full academic year, with competitions held in the three main regions of the emirate. The authority’s statement outlined how the program seeks to develop confidence, teamwork and resilience while creating pathways for talented athletes to progress.
An elite league will run throughout the season for under-17 and under-19 students, providing weekly fixtures in seven sports that include football, basketball, volleyball, padel, athletics, jiu-jitsu and swimming, according to the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge. A separate tournament format will cater to students from under-9 to under-19, encompassing rugby along with 11 individual disciplines such as archery, badminton, chess, cycling, fencing, judo, obstacle course racing, laser run, table tennis, taekwondo and wrestling. The department added that under-11 to under-15 students will also contest football, basketball, volleyball, athletics, jiu-jitsu and swimming within the tournament structure.
The championship incorporates dedicated leagues for students of determination through collaboration with the Special Olympics UAE, ensuring an inclusive sporting environment, the announcement stated. A comprehensive rewards program will provide scholarships for promising talents, assistance for sports facility upgrades, professional development for coaches and teachers, plus a school classification system with prizes for the highest performers. Participation is managed directly by schools, with the authority directing parents to contact their child’s sports department for specific eligibility and trial information.
ADEK figures from the previous season show that more than 33,000 students from 389 schools and 13 universities took part in the 2024-2025 edition across 18 sports disciplines between November 2024 and May 2025. That championship concluded with a ceremony honoring over 500 medalists for both results and sportsmanship, drawing more than 10,000 spectators including families and community members. The current edition builds on that participation level while refining the format to emphasize regular district-based competition.
The initiative supports the authority’s Physical Education and School Sports Policy, which requires schools to deliver an average of at least 60 minutes of timetabled physical education weekly with a target of 120 minutes where feasible, an ADEK policy document specifies. Schools must also monitor students’ daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, aiming for 30 minutes on average, and track participation rates especially among those with additional learning needs. These requirements form part of annual reporting to the department.
Comparable programs elsewhere in the country include the UAE School Games, which engaged 7,096 students from 518 schools in its 2026 edition across 13 sports, according to the UAE Schools and University Sports Federation. That national event features qualifying phases leading to finals and aligns with efforts to identify talent for regional and international representation. The Abu Dhabi championship similarly feeds into broader talent development pathways, including scouting opportunities and potential progression to elite programs.
