The 2026-2027 season of the Dubai Open for Basketball Academies (DOBA) Championship has officially kicked off, marking the third consecutive year of the event. Organised by the Dubai Sports Council in partnership with the UAE Basketball Federation, alongside operational collaborators Sports Mania and Sport360, the tournament aligns with the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033. The primary objective remains the identification and cultivation of sporting talent, providing young athletes with a rigorous competitive landscape to refine their skills for future achievements.
The competition’s initial phase is scheduled to run until December 13, encompassing 321 matches. More than 1,800 participants are competing, representing 23 distinct sports entities. These include prominent local clubs such as Al Nasr, Al Wasl, Shabab Al Ahli, Sharjah Club, Sharjah Women’s Club, and Khor Fakkan Club, joined by 17 specialised academies including the NBA School, JAM Academy, Champs Academy, Dubai Basketball Academy, Starpoint Academy, OBS Academy, Triple Threat, MBBA, Grind Academy, Wildcats, ID Knights Academy, Jazz Academy, Get the Kids Fit Academy, JAM Abu Dhabi, Champs Jebel Ali, Dubai Tribe, and Wise Academy.
Matches are being hosted at two primary venues: the Citizen School in Al Satwa and the Al Ittihad Private School in Jumeirah. The inclusion of professional Emirati clubs alongside private academies represents a strategic effort to foster the growth of basketball within the nation, ensuring national talent receives consistent development opportunities.
This year’s edition introduces significant organizational and technical upgrades, most notably a dedicated smart application. As a first-of-its-kind tool for the tournament, the app allows players, coaches, fans, and staff to monitor real-time standings, match schedules, live scores, and individual player statistics. It also serves as a central hub for video highlights and photo coverage throughout the season.
Technical standards have also been elevated, with the implementation of the latest International Basketball Federation (FIBA) regulations. These updates, coordinated with the UAE Basketball Federation, aim to improve the performance of referees and ensure that all participants—coaches and players alike—are aligned with global standards of play.
Known as the DOBA Youth Basketball League, the championship remains committed to elevating the sporting environment in the UAE. By blending professional standards with broad-based academy participation, the event continues to serve as a vital pathway for the next generation of competitive basketball athletes.
