Abu Dhabi Open Judo Championship opens UAE season

By James Mercer • 12 October 2026, 20:14 • 2 mins read

The UAE Judo Federation opens its 2026-27 season in North Baniyas on 17 and 18 October. The international event is open to athletes of every nationality.

Judoka will report for weigh-ins before the first contest begins. The Abu Dhabi International Open takes place on 17 and 18 October at the UAE Judo Federation hall in North Baniyas, opening the federation's 2026-2027 season, according to Al Ittihad.

The program includes boys' and girls' competition for under-15s. Girls under 18 and boys under 21 also have divisions.

The 2026 World Judo Championships in Baku, held from 4 to 10 October, brought together 622 athletes from 93 countries.

Al Bayan

Weigh-ins start on 16 October

Official and trial weigh-ins are scheduled for 16 October at the federation's Abu Dhabi headquarters. Team Nogueira in Dubai is also a weigh-in site. Sharjah Sports Club and Fujairah Martial Arts are included in the schedule. The first contests are due to begin at 10:00 the following day, with the under-15 category, Al Ittihad reported.

The federation's rules allow entries from inside and outside the UAE. Each age and gender group has separate weight categories, but the published details do not specify the limits. The federation says it wants to strengthen competition. It also aims to give participants experience and encourage sporting friendship.

At the 2026 World Championships in Baku, the UAE team secured gold and silver medals and finished fifth in the overall team standings.

Al Ittihad

Open entry sets the terms

Abu Dhabi's wider sports calendar includes a Yas Links title defence scheduled for 5 to 8 November. The event has 70 players chasing 50 places in Dubai.

The first under-15 contests are scheduled to begin at 10:00 on 17 October.

UAE CUE Sports Desk

James Mercer

James Mercer is the Founder, Owner, Publisher and Managing Director of UAE CUE Sports, where he oversees editorial direction and the publication's development across the Emirates. He writes about UAE sport, sports media, major events, venues, sports business and the wider relationship between participation, audiences and the country's sporting industry.