Sports segment of Hatta Winter 2024 set to commence on Monday with unique football tournament

- Sports activities organised by Hatta Adventures in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council
- Football tournament features unique rules, facilitating exhilarating and fast-paced contests
- Hatta Winter 2024 includes an extensive range of sports and outdoor activities, ranging from mountain biking and hiking to kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding

The highly anticipated sports activities of Hatta Winter 2024 are set to begin on Monday, 23 December, with a unique football tournament organised by Hatta Adventures in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council. The tournament, running until 29 December, promises thrilling contests against the scenic backdrop of Leem Lake nestled in the Hatta Mountains.

The sports segment of Hatta Winter 2024 is an integral feature of this year’s initiative, combining competitive excitement, community spirit and innovative sporting formats, adding another dimension to Hatta’s profile as a sports and adventure hub.

Unique competition
The sports activities are being launched with an innovative football tournament featuring eight teams competing in a league format. Divided into two groups, each team will play three matches before the top two from each group advance to the knockout semi-finals.

The game format, designed to encourage creativity and dynamic play, includes unique rules such as penalties for shooting from one’s own half or lifting the ball, facilitating exhilarating and fast-paced contests. Teams consist of four active players, including a goalkeeper, with two reserves allowed. To ensure an inclusive competition, only one player from UAE clubs may participate in each team.
With matches set at 10 minutes per half, and brief five-minute intervals, every second of gameplay counts. Special rules ensure edge-of-your-seat action where outcomes can shift dramatically in crucial moments. Shooting on the opponent’s goal from one’s own half will be considered a foul and will hand over possession of the ball to the other team. Lifting the ball will also be a violation that will draw a verbal warning. Repeating the offence will lead to the player being suspended for a minute and a half. If the ball touches the side net, it will be considered out of play. When a player is sent off, he will be excluded from the match, and the team will be given a two-minute suspension period before allowing a substitute player to enter.

Range of sporting activities
Organised, under the supervision of the Supreme Committee to Oversee the Development of Hatta, and implemented by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, in cooperation with key partners, the Hatta Winter initiative reflects Dubai’s strategic vision to develop Hatta as a leading winter destination, promoting its cultural and recreational assets while supporting sustainable tourism and local entrepreneurship.

Held in a three-hectare site surrounded by the stunning Hatta Mountains, the initiative aims to attract families, sports enthusiasts, and adventurers alike. The event also underscores Hatta’s emergence as a vibrant hub for community engagement, offering opportunities for visitors of all ages to participate in a variety of activities.

Beyond the football tournament, the sports segment of Hatta Winter 2024 includes an extensive range of sports and outdoor activities. From mountain biking and hiking to kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, the initiative invites visitors to immerse themselves in Hatta’s breathtaking landscapes while enjoying a healthy and active lifestyle.

Part of the #DubaiDestinations campaign, Hatta Winter 2024 underscores the UAE’s commitment to promoting local talent, supporting small businesses, and fostering sustainable development. This year’s edition builds on the success of previous years, offering a wider array of activities designed to engage both residents and visitors.

Hatta Winter, running from 13 December, 2024, to 22 January, 2025, includes five festivals: the Hatta Winter Festival, Hatta Cultural Nights, Hatta Honey Festival, Hatta Agricultural Festival, and Hatta x DSF. These events spotlight Hatta’s growing profile as a must-visit winter destination, combining cultural, entertainment, educational and sports activities catering to diverse audiences.

The initiative has been organised in collaboration with key partners, including Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Municipality, the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), Dubai Sports Council, and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). RTA provides seamless transportation to Hatta, offering direct bus services with 14 trips daily, 17 internal buses serving event venues, and shuttles to key attractions like the Hatta Dam.