Name: Zayed Sports City
Distance from Hotel: 6 km
Travel time: 6 minutes
Average taxi fare: 10 AED

The Zayed Sports City (ZSC) is a state-of-the-art sports facility that was built to reflect the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) passion for sport. Inaugurated in 1980 it remains the premier entertainment and sporting destination in the UAE.



ZSC is made up of many sports and leisure facilities such as the Haddins Fitness Centre, The International Tennis Centre, the Khalifa Bowling centre, an Ice Rink and many restaurants besides a massive football stadium.

The Zayed Sports City Football Stadium is renowned as the largest multi-purpose stadium in the Gulf region. An Abu Dhabi landmark for over 30 years, it was recently renovated and now includes more facilities. The FIFA regulations compliant stadium can seat over 40,000 people and comes with all the essential amenities such as conference rooms, catering facilities, media and hospitality boxes, VIP rooms and much more. In the past the stadium has featured the FIFA Club World Cup, the Abu Dhabi Corporate Games, George Michael and Alicia Keys concert and many more elite events.


A few unique features:
• The stadium was designed by Populous architects, one of the largest architecture firms in the world.
• The Khalifa International Bowling Centre is the home base for the UAE National Bowling team.
• The ZSC stadium's prominence has made it a permanent feature on the UAE's AED 200 bank note.

Haddins Fitness centre specializes in providing back to basics fitness solutions for everyone and has a gym which houses free weights, TRX, an Olympic sized boxing ring and other training equipment. It is said to host over 30 fitness classes each week and caters to groups of all ages.

Opened in 2005, the International Tennis Centre at ZSC features nine outdoor ATP standard tennis courts hosted in a 5,000 seat stadium with 2 of a kind, 500 seat practice galleries. Events such as the Abu Dhabi Wilson Tennis Cup and the Mubadala World Tennis Championship have been conducted here.

The Khalifa International Bowling Centre was purpose built for the 1999 FIQ 14th World Bowling Championships, and features 40 Brunswick lanes making bowling accessible to everyone from beginners to professional bowlers. Its offerings are enhanced by 13 billiards tables, six table tennis tables, a video arcade, three restaurants and two pro-shops and organizes leagues and tournaments almost on a weekly basis.

The ZSC Ice Rink is Abu Dhabi’s only Olympic-size skating rink and is open to the public as well. It also hosts thrilling Ice Hockey matches along with skilful figure skating shows. If you’re new to ice skating, coaches are on hand to train you as well. The rink features 1,200 seats with a rehearsal studio, medical room and an outdoor space as well.

If you’re planning on visiting Zayed Sports City and any of its above mentioned facilities, your best bet is to stay at Centro Capital Centre, which is just a 6 minute drive away from the complex.


Venue tips:
• For a small game of football with friends, you can rent pitches of different sizes, depending on your need.
• The Ice rink is a good place to spend a hot summer afternoon.
• For ladies who prefer private spaces to play tennis, ask for the 'closed outdoor courts'.

*Pictures credit: facebook.com/ZayedSportsCity . Information credit: zsc.ae