Abu Dhabi to Host 2025 WAKO World Kickboxing Championship

Abu Dhabi is all set to welcome the world’s top kickboxing athletes for the 2025 WAKO World Championship for Seniors and Masters. The event will take place from 21st to 30th November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and will bring together around 2,000 participants from 150 countries.

The championship is organised by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation in cooperation with the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO). International delegations will start arriving on 21st and 22nd November, ahead of the official opening ceremony on 23rd November at 17:00 in ADNEC Hall 1. The ceremony will be open to the public following all organisational guidelines.

The main championship events will run from 24th to 29th November. Competitions will include a wide range of disciplines approved by WAKO, such as K1, Low Kick, Full Contact, Point Fighting, Light Contact, Kick Light, and other ring and tatami events. In addition, the championship schedule features musical and creative performance categories for both Seniors and Masters. The Para Kickboxing category will also take place for People of Determination, showcasing inclusivity in the sport.

The early days of the championship will host preliminary and qualifying rounds. These will be followed by semi-finals, finals, and medal ceremonies, especially for the Masters category. Champions across all divisions will be officially crowned on 29th November, and the participating delegations are expected to depart on 30th November.

Ali Khouri, Executive Board Member of WAKO and Board Member of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, said the UAE warmly welcomes the global kickboxing community to this event. He added that the record number of participants shows worldwide confidence in the UAE’s organisational skills and state-of-the-art sporting infrastructure.

Khouri also noted that hosting this championship reinforces Abu Dhabi’s reputation as an international hub for combat sports. He said the event continues the UAE’s tradition of successfully organising major global sporting competitions, helping attract athletes and fans from all over the world.

The championship is expected to deliver exciting action across all categories while promoting sportsmanship, cultural exchange, and international cooperation. Fans and spectators in Abu Dhabi will have the opportunity to witness some of the world’s best athletes competing at the highest level, making it a landmark event for the region’s combat sports scene.

With competitions ranging from high-intensity bouts to creative performances and Para Kickboxing, the 2025 WAKO World Championship is set to be one of the most inclusive and thrilling sporting events hosted in the UAE this year.