Dubai launches first international sports, entertainment free zone to boost industry growth

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has unveiled plans for the International Sports & Entertainment Free Zone, marking the UAE’s inaugural business cluster solely focused on the sports and entertainment sectors.

This newly established zone is designed to function as a dedicated business hub, providing streamlined licencing for an extensive array of sports and entertainment activities. Its primary goal is to foster a collaborative ecosystem that promotes growth and innovation within the industry.

According to a statement from DWTC, the free zone will offer a consolidated platform for licencing businesses across well-established domains such as sports management, event organisation, talent representation, and media broadcasting. Additionally, it intends to stimulate development in emerging areas like e-sports, AI-driven sports technology, and fan tokens.

The International Sports and Entertainment Free Zone Cluster (ISEZA) will deliver comprehensive corporate and legal support specifically tailored to its members, working closely with major UAE authorities, including the UAE Ministry of Sports, Dubai Sports Council, and the UAE National Olympic Community, among others.

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The free zone is projected to attract a wide variety of industry stakeholders, encompassing global brands, sports leagues, franchises, rights owners, investors, and talent agencies, as reported by WAM.

It will also be a haven for artists, athletes, media figures, social media influencers, and professionals from creative industries. Officials believe that this initiative will bolster Dubai’s status as a global hub for sports and entertainment while simultaneously driving economic growth in the sector.