Abu Dhabi will host the GKA Kite World Tour for the first time, welcoming the Hydrofoil Big Air & Freestyle Kite World Cup to Fahid Island from 25 October - 2 November 2025. The event, delivered through a partnership between Aldar, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and AD Ports Group, reinforces the emirate’s position as a global hub for sport, adventure, and lifestyle tourism.
The GKA Kite World Tour will take place on the Fahid Island shoreline. The competition will be an addition to Abu Dhabi’s global sporting calendar, further enhancing the emirate’s appeal as a hub for sporting excellence. Abu Dhabi continues to advance its reputation as a leading international host city, welcoming world-class events such as the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, NBA Abu Dhabi Games, UFC at Etihad Arena, and Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open.
As the centrepiece of a nine-day Fahid Island Watersports Festival. from 25 October-2 November 2025, the World Cup will run alongside the GWA Wingfoil World Tour season finale and the championship deciders of the SFT Surf Foil World Tour, bringing an unprecedented concentration of elite watersports to the UAE.
Set to welcome over 30,000 fans to the shores of Fahid Island, the festival will feature an engaging public programme appealing to local communities and international visitors, including watersports clinics led by world‑class athletes, an athlete’s village that fosters interaction and inspiration, a curated mix of local food and beverage vendors and retailers, and a packed calendar of live performances and family entertainment.
His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: "We are delighted to host the UAE’s first-ever GKA Kite World Tour at Fahid Island, which represents a significant addition to Abu Dhabi’s global sports agenda and reinforces the emirate’s position as a leading destination for water sports and international adventure events.
"Through this competition, we continue to advance the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in supporting sports at all levels, providing opportunities for both professional and amateur athletes to discover their talents and compete in a world-class environment. This event also forms part of the council’s strategy to enhance community engagement in sports, increase participation, and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a vibrant city that seamlessly combines sports, recreation, and exceptional tourism experiences."
Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aldar, said: “Abu Dhabi has rapidly established itself as a premier sports hub in the Middle East – and Aldar is proud to be playing a leading role in raising its profile on the global sporting stage. Through projects such as Fahid Island, we are opening up new stretches of the capital’s pristine coastline through world-class facilities and destinations that invite both residents and visitors to experience the very best of life in Abu Dhabi.
“We are proud to be hosting the UAE’s first GKA Kite World Tour on Fahid Island, an example of how partnerships can deliver impact far beyond just sport – boosting tourism, inspiring communities, and cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic places to live, invest, and explore.”
The festival will feature many of the sport’s biggest names, including Hugo Wigglesworth (NZL) and Finn Flügel (GER) in Hydrofoil Big Air; Maxime Chabloz (SUI) and Bruna Kajiya (BRA) in Freestyle; and Wingfoil champions Nia Suardiaz (ESP) and Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA), with stars such as Lorenzo Casati (ITA) and Charles Brodel (FRA) also poised to contend.
Strategically located between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, Fahid Island is the world’s first Fitwel-certified island, offering 11km of coastline, 4.6km of pristine beachfront, and a 2km pedestrian waterfront promenade. Designed with wellness, sustainability, and longevity at its core, the island sets a new standard for active, nature-led placemaking. The Fahid Island Watersports Festival, classified as a World Sailing Special Event, is supported by the UAE Sailing Federation and partners including Al Masaood, LINKVIVA, Capital.com, and Nirvana.
