As countries in the Middle East continue to broaden their economic horizons, sectors such as sports business events have been forecast to become increasingly lucrative over the next few years.
Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup was a pivotal moment for sport in the region, providing it with the opportunity to showcase what nations there have to offer.
The tournament was undoubtedly the latest step along the road to establishing the Middle East as a major business player in the sports industry.
Associated companies will likely benefit in the future, as government and overseas investment help to build on the foundations that have been laid.
With that in mind, we take a look at some of the exciting sports business events taking place in the Middle East which will help to power future growth.
International Conference on Physical Education & Sport Science
Start-up businesses will likely play a vital role in the Middle East sports sector over the next few years, particularly those whose innovations are backed by science.
The International Conference on Physical Education and Sport Science (ICPESS) in Kuwait at the end of May will give budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to build future business relations.
Physical education and sport science are big businesses in major jurisdictions such as North America, Europe, and Asia, generating billions of dollars annually.
ICPESS provides a route for up-and-coming talents to showcase research-backed innovations which could become hugely successful businesses in the future.
Leaders Sports Business Summit
Generally staged during springtime in Abu Dhabi, the Leaders Sports Business Summit is an extremely significant event in the annual calendar.
‘Invention, Innovation and Investment’ is one of four key conference themes which assesses how technology will drive future developments in the sports business sector.
Linked industries such as online gambling are among the areas ripe for development, with governments in the region establishing new licensing and regulatory frameworks.
The emergence of sports betting in UAE perfectly highlights the potential, and firms bidding to take advantage can gain plenty of useful pointers at the Leaders Sports Business Summit.
Sport Industry Forum
The annual Sport Industry Forum is officially supported by the Department of Community Development, Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
It brings together passionate and influential individuals from the sports business sector to develop new initiatives and implement positive changes in the Middle East.
The line-up for 2023 has yet to be confirmed but is guaranteed to include representatives from some of the most successful leagues and competitions in the world.
Last year’s event featured contributions from people connected to the Premier League and Formula 1, highlighting its importance to sports business development in the Middle East.
