Sharjah hosts world's football legends during Week of the Stars

January 06, 2026 / 1:49 PM

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 (SEC), the Emirate of Sharjah is preparing to launch the Legends competitions and matches of "Sharjah Week of the Stars," organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). The event will run from the players' arrival on January 7 to their departure on January 12, 2026.

Through organising this international sporting event, the SCTDA aims to enhance the Emirate's presence on the global sports tourism map, showcase its prominent destinations and landmarks, and diversify tourism experiences and activities to enrich the year-round events calendar in the vibrant Emirate. The event also underscores Sharjah's advanced capabilities and potential to host major international events with high efficiency.

The tourism and sports sectors are complementary, each contributing to the enhancement of the other. Major sporting events play a pivotal role in boosting tourism, attracting visitors, and enhancing the emirate's position as a global destination. Estimates based on data from the United Nations Tourism Organisation indicate that sports tourism accounts for approximately 10% of total global tourism spending, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors worldwide.

The "Sharjah Week of the Stars" will feature a number of distinguished sporting competitions. January 10th will see the "Stars Padel League," followed on January 11th by an exciting football match between retired international legends, titled "Football Stars Night." Simultaneously, the final matches of the "Sharjah International Footgolf Tournament" will take place, with special participation from football legends joining the tournament's participants. The event also includes sightseeing tours, friendly matches, and tournaments held in the Emirate of Sharjah, aiming to showcase the emirate's diverse and rich tourism and entertainment options to international sports stars.

Legends Padel Tour at Sharjah World Padel Academy

On January 10, 2026, during Sharjah Football Stars Week, SCTDA will host the "The Legends Padel Tour," where prominent international football stars and legends will compete in a tournament at the Sharjah World Padel Academy.

"A Night of Stars" at Sharjah Sports Club Stadium

The Sharjah Sports Club Stadium will host the fifth day of Sharjah Football Stars Week on January 11, 2026, under the title "A Night of Stars." This event will feature a friendly football match with 36 of the game's most prominent international stars and legends, including such distinguished players as Fabio Cannavaro, David Trezeguet, Essam El-Hadary, Mido, John Terry, Eric Abidal, Fernando Llorente, Wesley Sneijder, Roberto Baggio, and many other global football legends.

With the participation of this elite group of the world's most prominent football stars and retired legends, "Sharjah Week of the Stars" represents a qualitative addition to both the sporting and tourism landscape of the emirate, and a unique opportunity for football fans to enjoy an evening of football that combines enjoyment and competition, confirming Sharjah's position as a destination capable of hosting distinguished sporting events that garner widespread attention at the regional level.