Daniel
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October 10, 2026
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9 min read
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Dubai Sports City packs a 25,000-seat cricket stadium, an 18-hole Ernie Els golf course and the ICC Academy into one district off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. There is no metro station inside it yet, so this guide shows you the bus and taxi routes that actually work, the free spots, and how to spend a half day in Dubai Sports City without renting a car.
Dubai Sports City is a 50-million-square-foot sports district in Al Hebiah 4, built around six venues and home to about 70,000 residents, according to the district’s official site. Below you will find numbered things to do with costs, the free things, a half-day route with walking times, where to stay nearby and the exact way to reach it from Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai and the airport. If you are still planning your trip, start with our Dubai travel guide.
| Detail | October 2026 information |
|---|---|
| Location | Al Hebiah 4, along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), between Al Khail Road and Hessa Street |
| Nearest metro | Mall of the Emirates (Red Line), then RTA bus F29 into the district |
| Time needed | Half a day for the highlights; a full day if you play 18 holes |
| Budget level | Mid-range district; golf and private coaching are premium, the canal walk is free |
| Best for | Cricket fans, golfers and families who want a sporty half day away from the malls |
Each stop below shows the cost, the time to allow and exactly where it sits in Dubai Sports City.
The stadium seats 25,000 and has hosted more than 130 international matches, including IPL and PSL games, according to the district’s official stadium page. The ILT20 2026 fixture list has matches here from 21 November to 20 December 2026, according to Cricbuzz. Cost: tickets are priced per tournament by the organiser, so check the stadium’s official page before you go. Time: about 3 hours for a T20. Location: the stadium sits in the middle of Dubai Sports City.
This is an 18-hole, par 72 championship course designed by four-time major winner Ernie Els as a “desert links” layout, opened in 2008 and stretching to 7,538 yards from the championship tees. Non-golfers can still come for lunch. Cost: book tee times on the club’s official site; check the current green fees there. Time: plan half a day. Location: The Els Club, southern edge of Dubai Sports City.
The academy runs two floodlit full-sized ovals plus indoor and outdoor training facilities, and its coaches work with beginners through to touring international sides. One-on-one coaching starts at AED 1,575 with Level 1 and 2 coaches and AED 2,100 with Level 3 coaches, when we checked the academy’s official site. Cost: from AED 1,575 on the academy’s official site; check current rates before booking. Time: book sessions in advance. Location: the ICC Academy, east side of Dubai Sports City.
The district’s sports complex hosts football pitches, an athletics track and tennis and padel courts, and its football club plays in the UAE First Division. This is the easiest way for casual players to get a game without club membership. Cost: pitch and court hire is booked through the district’s official site. Time: 1 to 2 hours. Location: the Sports Park, central Dubai Sports City.
FitRepublik runs martial arts, gymnastics and swimming programmes for kids and adults at its Dubai Sports City base, according to its official site. It works well for a single hard session if you train back home and do not want to lose a week. Cost: check the official site for day-pass and class rates. Time: 1 to 2 hours. Location: Sports City district.
Canal Residence West stretches along the promenade on one side of the district’s canal, and the waterside path is open to everyone. Go at sunset when the towers light up. Cost: free. Time: 30 to 45 minutes. Location: the canal, Canal Residence West side of Dubai Sports City.
The Els Club’s clubhouse holds two verified restaurants: The Big Easy, a South African-inspired bar and grill, and 261 Bar & Restaurant for post-round food and sunset drinks. Cost: mid-range restaurant prices. Time: 1 to 2 hours. Location: The Els Club clubhouse.
Dubai Sports City itself is an open district, so you pay nothing to walk around it. The genuinely free highlights:
Visiting in the hot months? Read our Dubai Sports World guide for air-conditioned courts and pitches in summer.
This route links the free walk, the academies and the clubhouse. Walking times below are measured at a normal pace; take a taxi between stops in summer.
| What you will read | What is accurate |
|---|---|
| “Al Nahda Metro Station serves Dubai Sports City.” | Wrong. Al Nahda is in Deira, about 30 km away. The nearest metro is Mall of the Emirates on the Red Line, and RTA bus F29 runs from there into the district. |
| “The Blue Line will connect Dubai Sports City.” | Wrong. The 14-station Blue Line, due to open 9 September 2029, runs between Creek and Academic City via Festival City and International City. No Dubai Sports City station is in the plan. |
| Old academy names in visitor guides. | Academy brands change. The district’s official site currently lists The Els Club, Football Academy, Sports Park, the ICC Academy and Dubai International Stadium. Check the current list on the official site before you visit. |
Dubai Sports City is a mid-range residential district, and most visitors sleep in nearby Motor City, Al Barsha or Barsha Heights, each 10 to 15 minutes away by taxi. That keeps you close to the stadium and golf without paying Marina prices. See our where to stay in Dubai guide for area-by-area picks for every budget.
There is no metro station inside Dubai Sports City. The simplest public route:
Estimated taxi fares from RTA’s street-hail structure (AED 5 base in the day, about AED 2.20 per km):
If you are based at the coast, read our Dubai Marina guide to plan the rest of that day.
No. Dubai Sports City has no metro station, and the Blue Line opening in 2029 does not include one either. The nearest station is Mall of the Emirates on the Red Line. From there, RTA bus F29 runs into the district with stops at the cricket stadium, Victory Heights and the golf tower, and F37 also serves Sports City.
About 15 minutes by taxi, roughly AED 25 to 35 on the meter. By public transport, take the Red Line to Mall of the Emirates and change to bus F29 or F37 into the district. Allow 45 minutes to an hour door to door by metro and bus.
Yes. The Els Club is an 18-hole, par 72 Ernie Els design that welcomes visiting golfers; book tee times on the club’s official site and check the current green fees there. Non-golfers can still visit for lunch or dinner at The Big Easy Bar & Grill or 261 Bar & Restaurant in the clubhouse.
Winter. The ILT20 2026 fixture list has matches at Dubai International Stadium from 21 November to 20 December 2026, according to Cricbuzz, and the stadium has hosted more than 130 international matches including IPL and PSL games. Buy tickets from the tournament organiser once they go on sale.
The district itself is open and free to walk around, and the canal promenade costs nothing. The venues charge: stadium tickets are priced per tournament, golf and academy sessions are booked and paid on the official sites. Plan the free walk in the morning and one paid activity to keep costs down.
Motor City, Al Barsha and Barsha Heights are the closest practical bases, 10 to 15 minutes by taxi, with mid-range hotels and apartments. Our where to stay in Dubai guide compares every area by budget and traveller type, including options near the stadium side.
Written by
Daniel
Daniel is the travel writer behind Go Dubai Now, covering Dubai's attractions, parks, restaurants and practical travel topics. Every guide is researched against official sources — government portals, operator websites and current local listings — and updated regularly so timings, prices and rules stay accurate. His goal is simple: answer the exact questions travelers ask before they go, with no fluff and no outdated information.
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