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by Admin
The Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) has released its calendar for the 2026-27 sports season, packing 40 races, championships, and events into a nine-month stretch from September 2026 through April 2027. The lineup blends the emirate’s traditional maritime heritage with a growing slate of modern water sports, reinforcing Dubai’s ambitions as a global hub for marine competition.
Overview
- Organization: Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC)
- Date of Announcement: August 27, 2026
- Season Duration: September 2026 through April 2027 (9 months)
- Total Events: 40 races, championships, and events
A Season Built on Heritage and Innovation
The new season opens in September with the 22ft Al Shindagha Traditional Dhow Sailing Race, setting the tone for a calendar that mixes old and new. Traditional dhow sailing returns across its 22ft, 43ft, and 60ft categories throughout the year, alongside rowing competitions that have long been fixtures of the DIMC calendar.
On the modern side, the season features the UAE Modern Sailing Championship, aquabike championships, fishing and kitesurfing competitions, and kayak events. Dubai will also host rounds of two major international powerboating series – the UIM Formula 1 World Championship and the UIM XCAT World Series – further raising the city’s profile on the global marine sports circuit.
Two Editions of the Al Gaffal Race
One of the season’s standout features is a rare doubleheader: two editions of the prestigious Al Gaffal 60ft Traditional Dhow Sailing Race will take place in the same season. The postponed 35th edition, delayed from the previous season, will now run in October 2026, followed swiftly by the 36th edition in April 2027-bookending the calendar with one of the UAE’s most iconic maritime events.
Club Leadership Weighs In
Dr. Ahmad Saeed Bin Meshar, Chairman of the Dubai International Marine Club, described the programme as an integrated season that balances safeguarding the UAE’s maritime heritage with expanding the reach of modern marine sports, in step with Dubai’s standing as a host of major international sporting events. He added that the club is entering the new season aiming to sustain both organisational and sporting excellence, with a calendar designed to serve athletes and enthusiasts alike while nurturing local talent and strengthening the UAE’s international presence in marine championships.
Bin Meshar also extended thanks to the UAE’s leadership, including His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, for their continued support of the emirate’s marine sports programme.
Strategic Partners
The season’s delivery once again relies on a broad network of government and private-sector partners, including the Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Dubai Media Incorporated, and Dubai Harbour, whose cooperation the club credited for ensuring events are run to international standards.
What’s Next
With racing set to begin in a matter of weeks, DIMC’s 2026-27 season promises one of its busiest calendars yet-from beach-side dhow races to world-championship powerboating – cementing Dubai’s reputation as a premier destination for marine sport.
