Sharjah gears up for Football Stars Week 2025, showcasing legends

Sharjah 24: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of Sharjah Executive Council, Sharjah is gearing up for the "Sharjah Football Stars Week," organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. The event aims to boost the emirate's sporting tourism scene and showcase its attractions and landmarks. The week will feature a series of distinctive sporting events, including a football match between retired international legends under the theme "Football Stars Night," the Sharjah International Footgolf Championship, the Stars Padel League, and, for the first time, an E-Sports tournament open to the public, with special participation from football legends, running from January 10 to 13, 2025.

This global sports event, organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, seeks to diversify Sharjah’s activities and overall development landscape, emphasising its growing presence in the sports and tourism sectors. It includes guided tours, friendly matches, and championship competitions, all aimed at introducing the world to Sharjah’s wide-ranging tourism and entertainment offerings.

The world's top athletes will gather at the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club for footgolf competitions, with over 145 players from 27 countries competing from January 11 to 12. The final day will feature a unique match between football legends and footgolf champions at the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club. This championship is regarded as one of the most prestigious of its kind globally, attracting top players and a broad audience. The tournament will see the participation of eight players from the UAE.

Football Stars Night

On January 11, 2025, at Al Jada Sports Field, which features a mini stadium accommodating up to 2,000 spectators, the second day of the "Sharjah Football Stars Week" will be held under the title "Football Stars Night." It will include a friendly football match featuring 22 legendary players from around the world, including Francesco Totti, Fabio Cannavaro, Rivaldo, Michael Owen, Papu Gomez, David Trezeguet, and Essam El-Hadary, alongside a yet-to-be-announced Italian football legend.

Stars Padel Tour

On January 12, 2025, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority will host the "Stars Padel Tour." The event will feature 16 players—top football legends—competing for the championship at Al Jada Padel Courts in Sharjah. The day will also include a special match between football legends and local and regional padel stars.

Integration of sports and tourism

Regarding the launch of the "Sharjah Football Stars Week," Khaled Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, emphasised Sharjah’s full readiness to host this prominent international event, which brings together a select group of global football legends. He highlighted the importance of the integration between sports and tourism in fostering development in host countries of such international events, stressing their role in showcasing tourism assets and attractions that draw visitors from around the globe.

Al Midfa stated, "The organisation of the 'Sharjah Football Stars Week' embodies Sharjah’s vision of combining sports, tourism, and culture. Sharjah is known for its rich natural and cultural diversity, as well as its advanced infrastructure to host major international events. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing a unique experience for both visitors and residents within the UAE."

Sharjah had previously hosted the footgolf championship for the second consecutive year in 2024, attracting international players competing for prizes worth $30,000. The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, alongside the tournament, welcomed 23 international football legends who participated in the Sharjah Padel Championship and the "Football Stars Night."