Dubai Launches the International Sports and Entertainment Zone Authority (ISEZA), the UAE’s First Sports and Entertainment Free Zone
Dubai is set to establish the International Sports and Entertainment Zone Authority (ISEZA), the UAE’s inaugural Free Zone dedicated exclusively to the sports and entertainment sectors. This initiative aims to create a specialized business cluster that facilitates licensing and fosters a collaborative ecosystem to accelerate industry growth.
The sports industry in Dubai currently contributes approximately $2.5 billion annually to the emirate’s economy. The UAE, known for its pioneering development of Economic Zones, boasts over 40 Free Zones targeting various industries. ISEZA is poised to serve as a dedicated hub supporting the burgeoning sports and entertainment business sectors within the UAE and the broader Middle East region.
ISEZA will offer a unified platform for licensing businesses across established sectors, including sports management and marketing, event management, talent representation, and media broadcasting. Additionally, it will support growth in emerging areas such as e-sports, AI-driven sports technology, and fan tokens. The Zone aims to attract global brands, sports leagues and franchises, rights owners and investors, sports and talent agencies, artists, sports and media personalities, social media influencers, and professionals from creative industries.
To ensure comprehensive corporate and legal support tailored to its members, ISEZA will collaborate closely with key UAE authorities, such as the UAE Ministry of Sports, Dubai Sports Council, and the UAE National Olympic Committee.
Khaled AlFahim, Vice President of Asset & Investment Management at Dubai World Trade Centre, emphasized DWTC’s longstanding legacy in hosting major sporting events and live entertainment. He stated that the launch of ISEZA within the DWTC Free Zone will foster a dynamic ecosystem, empowering sports and entertainment businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs to thrive. Members will benefit from the Free Zone’s prime location in the heart of the city’s business district, streamlined business setup processes, and access to valuable networking opportunities through a diverse events and exhibitions calendar. This initiative reinforces Dubai’s status as a global business hub and contributes to the growth of the sports sector in alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).
ISEZA also aims to attract international and regional sports organizations, including federations, associations, and leagues across both established and emerging sports. Dubai’s exceptional global connectivity, world-class infrastructure, investor-friendly policies, and favorable tax regime offer a strong competitive advantage for hosting global sports organizations.
Damir Valeev, CEO of ISEZA, highlighted that the project aligns with Dubai’s strategic vision of being a global destination for sports, entertainment, and tourism. The initiative is expected to have a significant social impact by creating a unique environment for hosting sports exhibitions, museums, academic programs, and community projects in the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Expo areas. Driven by the UAE’s vision of business development with higher social impact, it is anticipated to further promote active sports and a healthy lifestyle across the UAE.
Strategically located in One Central, adjacent to the Dubai Museum of the Future, ISEZA is poised to shape the future growth of the sports and entertainment industry, becoming a new center of gravity for industry entrepreneurs, professionals, enthusiasts, and talents.
Source: Dubai Media Office.
