The 13th edition of the Sports Industry Awards (SPIA) returned to Abu Dhabi for a second successive year to celebrate the region’s finest. Hosted by Sport360X and Interact as part of the Sport Industry Series, the gala event at the Space42 Arena welcomed over 500 guests to honour the individuals, organisations, venues and initiatives shaping the sports industry across the Middle East.
The awards night was held in strategic partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, with further support from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Jetour Elite Group Holding served as Title Sponsor, while Motus One came on board as Gold Sponsor. MRamez Events and Spinneys were the Silver and Bronze sponsors respectively, with The Athletic making their debut as media partner.
Winners across 26 categories were selected by an independent panel of judges drawn from across the region’s sports industry. Among the notable winners on the night were the DP World Tour Championship, the 3rd Asian Youth Games Bahrain 2025, the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, and the ADEK All-Stars programme.
The evening opened with speeches from Bassam Nawfal, Managing Director of Sport360X, and Sally Corander, Founder and CEO of Interact, followed by an address from H.E. Saeed Al Fazari, Strategic Affairs Executive Director of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
“Over thirteen editions, SPIA has grown into far more than an awards ceremony. It has become the platform that brings this industry together. It recognises excellence. It sets the benchmark for what the very best looks like in sport across the Middle East,” Nawfal said in his opening address.
“The resilience of the UAE, of Abu Dhabi, and of the people in this room — welcoming so many illustrious guests to Space42 Arena is a testament to the passion and momentum behind the Middle East’s sports industry. From outstanding campaigns to world-class facilities, the calibre of this year’s winners was truly inspiring.”
More than a hundred nominees were vetted before the final winners were determined. The judging panel included figures such as Richard Scudamore, Former Executive Chairman and CEO of the Premier League, alongside senior representatives from the Ministry of Sport Saudi Arabia, Dubai Racing Club, WTA Ventures, TikTok MENA, META, and Adobe, among others.
Source: SPIA Honours Middle East Sports Industry Leaders at Abu Dhabi Gala