Abu Dhabi will play host to the inaugural Kite World Cup as part of the Fahid Island Watersports Festival, running from 25 October to 2 November. The event marks the first time this major international competition lands in the UAE capital, with over 150 elite professional athletes expected to take part.
The organising committee, in partnership with Aldar, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and AD Ports Group, confirmed that the festival will feature a multidiscipline programme including kitesurfing, wing foiling, e-foiling, hydrofoiling, wake foiling and freestyle surfing. The event will unfold at Fahid Island — a purpose-built coastal destination with 11 km of coastline — reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global watersports hub.
Among the competitors are high-profile athletes from around the world, including French rider Kylie Belloeuvre, Spanish competitor Borja Vellon, American Justin Chait, and Emirati kitesurfer Mohammed Al Mansoori. Their participation underlines the championship’s international scope and significance for the sport’s development in the region.
Beyond the competition, the festival will feature live shows, family-friendly entertainment, and community activities — offering attendees more than just elite sports. With warm seas and reliable winds typical of the Gulf-coast region at this time of year, Fahid Island is well-positioned to host this landmark event.
The event is expected to draw international media and visitor interest, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s ambitions to grow its tourism offering and expand its reputation for hosting top-tier sporting and lifestyle events.
