Etihad Airways has signed on as the official airline partner for the 2026 Open Masters Games in Abu Dhabi, aligning the national carrier with a multi-sport event expected to draw more than 30,000 participants from around the world next February.
The agreement, announced in Abu Dhabi ahead of the 6–15 February competition, links the airline to an event that will stage 38 sports across more than 20 venues in the emirate. Organizers say athletes aged 30 and above, representing more than 140 nationalities, are expected to compete in what will be the first Open Masters Games held in the UAE.
The partnership was formalized at a signing ceremony between the International Masters Games Association and Etihad, attended by senior officials including Aref Al Awani, secretary general of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Etihad’s chief people, government and corporate affairs officer. The event will take place under the patronage of Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who chairs the higher organizing committee.
Al Awani said the airline’s experience in logistics and hospitality would support the delivery of the event, describing the collaboration as part of a broader effort to position sport as a lifelong activity in Abu Dhabi. Bastaki said the agreement reflects Etihad’s role in bringing participants and supporters from overseas to the UAE capital.
For Abu Dhabi, the Games represent another addition to a calendar that already includes international motorsport, golf and combat sports fixtures. Attracting thousands of visiting athletes and accompanying family members could provide a boost to hotels, restaurants and local transport operators during the 10-day event.
The Masters Games format, which focuses on adult and veteran athletes rather than elite professionals, has grown globally as more countries promote sport and physical activity beyond youth and Olympic pathways. By targeting competitors aged 30 and over, organizers aim to tap into a broad base of recreational and former competitive athletes seeking international competition.
Etihad, which has been rebuilding and expanding its route network in recent years, stands to benefit from increased inbound travel tied to the Games. The airline will handle transport for athletes and spectators arriving from Europe, Asia and beyond, reinforcing its role in supporting large-scale events hosted in the capital.
With a year to go before the opening ceremony, organizers now face the task of converting international interest into confirmed registrations — and ensuring the infrastructure can accommodate one of the largest participatory sporting events ever staged in the emirate.
