sport

Abu Dhabi High Schools Add New Sports Programs for 2026-2027 Season

New sports join established competitions as schools prepare for inter-school events across the emirate.

By Abu Dhabi Sport Desk · Published 19 July 2026

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The Abu Dhabi Sports Championship for Schools & Universities will feature three new sports for the 2026-2027 season. Rugby, Padel and Wrestling join the existing lineup of 19 unique sports, with the competition scheduled to run from October 2026 to May 2027 and no registration fees required for participating schools.

Key Organisations Driving School Sport

High school athletics across Abu Dhabi are coordinated through the Abu Dhabi International Schools Sports Association, known as ADISSA. This body organises inter-school matches in Basketball, Volleyball, Football, Swimming and Touch Rugby for international schools. The Abu Dhabi Schools Champions league brings together students from both public and private schools to compete in football, basketball, volleyball, handball and athletics, with the stated aim of encouraging healthy lifestyles among youth.

Facility Access Through Active Hub

The Active Hub programme, launched by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, opens sports facilities in 23 schools across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra after regular school hours. Students and families can use these venues year-round for athletics, football, swimming and fitness classes. Individual schools also run tiered programs such as Junior Varsity Under-16 and Varsity teams in Track & Field, Cross Country and Soccer, with teams competing against other regional international schools.

No specific match results from the current week appear in available reports, consistent with the off-season period before the October start date. The verified details instead highlight structural preparations and expanded access that will shape the coming season.

Schools and families interested in the upcoming championship can check registration details through their institutions once the October 2026 window opens. The addition of Rugby, Padel and Wrestling provides new options within the 19-sport programme, while the Active Hub continues to support ongoing participation outside competition periods.

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