Abu Dhabi is set to become the stage for the first international RAF NEXT GEN youth wrestling tournament, following a new partnership between Real American Freestyle (RAF), the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and the UAE Wrestling Federation. This event, scheduled for 14-15 November 2026, aims to provide a platform for young wrestlers to compete within the RAF ecosystem, earn ranking points, and potentially secure spots in future championship events. The programme will gather hundreds of wrestlers from international and regional wrestling federations for the RAF Abu Dhabi weekend, making its international debut in Abu Dhabi on November 14. Bringing young athletes from different countries to Abu Dhabi and giving them the chance to compete on the same stage as the sport’s biggest names is exactly the kind of pathway wrestling needs more of.”.
The competition will be split across two venues. Preliminary qualifiers will take place on 14 November at NYU Abu Dhabi. On 15 November, the tournament shifts to the Etihad Arena, where finalists will have the unique opportunity to compete on the same mats as world-renowned professional wrestlers. The professional RAF Abu Dhabi event, headlined by Colby Covington and Khamzat Chimaev, will also take place at the Etihad Arena on 14 November. On Yas Island, at RAF Abu Dhabi, the younger generation will compete in preliminary qualifiers at NYU Abu Dhabi on 1, while some of the world’s most prominent professional wrestlers take the spotlight inside Etihad Arena.
The event includes competition across four age categories: U11, U13, U15, and U17, with specific tracks for girls in the U13 and U15 divisions. Participants are expected to join from the UAE Wrestling Federation as well as various regional and international organizations. Registration is currently open for athletes, though spots in each weight class are limited. With limited places available in each division, athletes can register here.
Reflecting on the vision behind the expansion, Chad Bronstein, CEO and Co-Founder of RAF, stated that the organization was committed from the start to building the entire sport rather than just a professional league. Taking the NEXT GEN platform international, he noted, is a critical step in providing young athletes with the pathways they need to succeed on a global stage.
Fakhry Alsarraj, Acting Executive Director of the Events, Retail & Culinary Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi, emphasized the emirate’s broader goals. He explained that Abu Dhabi seeks to create long-term platforms that foster development in wrestling. By adding this youth dimension, the partnership aims to support the growth of the region as a primary hub for combat sports while connecting international federations.
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Saeed Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Secretary General of the UAE Wrestling Federation, echoed these sentiments, noting that nurturing the next generation is essential for the long-term success of the sport within the UAE. He added that the tournament serves to strengthen the emirate’s reputation as a key destination for international sporting competition. Originally launched in the United States, the RAF NEXT GEN platform is designed as an integrated development space where coaches, athletes, and federations can connect, train, and develop in a competitive environment.
