In just a few weeks, Muaythai will open a new inclusive chapter in its history with its official debut at the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026. The inclusion of the discipline in the event programme, to be held in Abu Dhabi from 7 to 9 February, marks a milestone that reflects both the sport’s evolution and its global vision, built around lifelong participation.
The debut will feature Masters categories for athletes aged 30+, 40+ and 50+, alongside Para and Special divisions, delivering a clear message: Muaythai is a sport open to all ages and abilities. The focus is placed on belonging, learning and competitive spirit, beyond any barriers linked to age or previous sporting background.
A global stage for a borderless Muaythai
The Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 will bring together more than 25,000 participants from around the world across a programme of 32 sports, positioning Muaythai within one of the largest and most diverse multisport celebrations ever staged in the region. This international scale offers a unique platform for a discipline that continues to expand its reach beyond traditional competitive formats.
The event is delivered under the umbrella of the International Masters Games Association -IMGA-, an organisation recognised by the International Olympic Committee -IOC-. This framework strengthens Muaythai’s integration within a multisport ecosystem aligned with Olympic values and with the “sport for all” philosophy that has defined the Masters Games since their inception.
Where competition meets tradition
The Muaythai programme in Abu Dhabi will combine high-level competition with cultural expressions intrinsic to the discipline. Alongside the bouts, traditional practices such as the Wai Kru will be included, underlining the importance of preserving Muaythai’s identity and cultural heritage within a contemporary sporting context.
This integration highlights values such as respect, discipline, dignity and unity, which are central to Muaythai’s DNA and take on particular significance within a format that celebrates sport at every stage of life. The coexistence of competition and culture reinforces the distinctive character of this debut at the Masters Games.
An impulse aligned with Muaythai’s global vision
The debut in Abu Dhabi forms part of the development strategy promoted by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations -IFMA-, the only international federation recognised by the Olympic Movement for the discipline. Its vision promotes an accessible, inclusive and sustainable Muaythai, conceived as a sporting and cultural journey that can be pursued throughout life.
The inclusion of Muaythai in the Open Masters Games programme strengthens this pathway and consolidates its presence in large-scale multisport events, alongside recent host locations such as Taipei, Cleveland and Lombardia. Abu Dhabi now joins this international network, projecting Muaythai as a global, inclusive sport fully integrated into the contemporary sporting landscape.
