Dubai:The 2026/2027 sports season has officially begun with the launch of the Dubai Basketball Academies Open Championship. Organized by the Dubai Sports Council in partnership with the Emirates Basketball Association, this event marks its third consecutive year. The championship aims to discover and develop young basketball talents in alignment with Dubai's 2033 sports vision.

According to Emirates News Agency, the first round of the championship will continue until December 13, 2026, featuring 321 matches with participation from over 1,800 athletes. These athletes represent 23 sports entities, including local academies and clubs. The matches are scheduled to take place at Citizen School in Al Satwa and Union Private School in Jumeirah.

This year's championship introduces new initiatives such as a smart application that offers real-time tracking of matches, results, and statistics. The app delivers schedules, live updates, rankings, and multimedia coverage, enhancing the experience for teams, players, coaches, and fans.

The championship also incorporates new rules and regulations from the International Basketball Federation, in collaboration with the Emirates Basketball Association. This initiative aims to elevate the technical level of referees and matches, ensuring that players, coaches, and technical teams are acquainted with the latest international standards.

The competition sees robust participation from local Emirati clubs and specialized sports academies, supporting the growth and development of basketball in the country and providing a competitive environment for young talents.