Ice hockey tournaments in Dubai and the UAE: 2026-27 dates
Youth and adult ice hockey tournaments in Dubai and the UAE for 2026-27, with dates, age groups, venues and recent results, each with its source and date.
- Independent · no bookings
- Published 23 October 2026
- 9 sources, checked 23 October 2026
- 5 min read
Short answer
- Dubai's next big youth event is the GLXY Cup: New Year in Dubai, 30 December 2026 to 4 January 2027, for U7 to U15.
- It is listed at Galaxy Arena, which was not confirmed open on 23 October 2026.
- Galaxy also lists a monthly Galaxy Cup in Mirdif, a Winter Break Camp Cup and an adult invitational in March.
- UAE youth teams travel to regional events such as the Gulf Youth Challenge Cup in Muscat and cups in Istanbul and Tashkent.
- Entry fees are not published; teams register through the organiser.
In this guide (8 sections)
Dubai's main youth ice hockey tournament this winter is the GLXY Cup: New Year in Dubai, listed for 30 December 2026 to 4 January 2027 for U7 to U15 teams. Galaxy Hockey Academy also lists a monthly Galaxy Cup and holiday camp cups in Mirdif, and an adult invitational in March. Beyond Dubai, UAE teams play regional cups in Oman, Turkey and Central Asia, and Al Ain hosts an IIHF world championship group in April 2027.
dubaihockey.com is an independent information site. We are not affiliated with any rink, club, league, tournament organiser or federation, and we take no bookings or registrations.
What hockey tournaments are coming up in Dubai and the UAE?
Dates as published on 23 October 2026. Organisers can change them, so check the source before you plan travel.
| Event | Dates | Where | Who | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy U11 tournament | 30 Oct to 1 Nov 2026 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | Galaxy U11 (away trip) | Galaxy tournaments page |
| GLXY Cup: New Year in Dubai | 30 Dec 2026 to 4 Jan 2027 | Galaxy Arena, Dubai | U7, U9, U11, U13, U15; 5v5 and 3v3 | Galaxy tournaments page |
| Galaxy Cup (invitational) | Monthly from Sep 2026 | Mirdif | Kids U8 to U16, amateur, pro/veteran brackets | Galaxy tournaments page |
| Winter Break Camp Cup | School breaks | Mirdif | U8 to U14; training then games | Galaxy tournaments page |
| Sand & Ice Adult Invitational | March (annual) | Mirdif | Adult amateur; three days of round robin | Galaxy tournaments page |
| Warriors Invitational | October (annual season opener) | Mirdif | Senior | Galaxy tournaments page |
| IIHF Division II Group A (men) | 19 to 25 Apr 2027 | Al Ain | National teams | Ice Hockey Australia, 30 May 2026 |
| ATHL "Dubai 2027" | Not published | Dubai | Adult amateur | ATHL |
Two notes on this table. First, we could not find a confirmed 2026 date for the Warriors Invitational, which Galaxy lists as an October season opener. Second, the GLXY Cup is listed at Galaxy Arena in Oud Metha, whose hub page still showed "Coming September 2026" and "opening soon" when we checked. If the arena is not ready, the venue may change. Ask the organiser.
The GLXY Cup: New Year in Dubai
This is the largest youth event on the Dubai calendar that we could find. Galaxy's tournaments page lists:
- Dates: 30 December 2026 to 4 January 2027
- Venue: Galaxy Arena, Dubai (see GLXY Sport Hub)
- Age groups: U7, U9, U11, U13, U15
- Formats: 5v5 and 3v3
- Extras: a banquet on 31 December
The page does not list an entry fee. It asks teams to register through the Galaxy Cup page or by WhatsApp. If you are bringing a team from abroad, ask for the fee, what it includes (ice, referees, accommodation) and the refund terms before booking flights.
Recent youth results for UAE teams
Results are reported at team level only.
| Event | Date | Where | UAE result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul International Youth Ice Hockey Cup | 15 to 17 Oct 2026 | Istanbul | Galaxy U11 gold, U13 silver | Galaxy tournaments page |
| International Youth Hockey Cup | 27 to 31 Aug 2026 | Minsk | Galaxy U16 took part; result not stated | Galaxy tournaments page |
| Gulf Youth Ice Hockey Challenge Cup | Reported 10 Feb 2026 | Fun Zone, Muscat | Cubs: Dubai Sandstorm won. Juniors: Al Ain Theebs won, Abu Dhabi Storms runners-up | Oman Observer, 10 Feb 2026 |
The Oman Observer report says five UAE teams from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain took part, in Cubs and Juniors divisions of four teams each. It names the event organisers as the Omani Skating Sports Committee and the Abu Dhabi Winter Sports Club. It does not give the event dates, so check whether the Gulf cup returns in early 2027.
The Istanbul and Minsk entries come from the club's own page. We have not seen independent reports of those results.
Adult tournaments
Adults have fewer options, but there are some.
In Dubai. Galaxy lists an annual Sand & Ice Adult Invitational in March (three days of round robin) and adult brackets in its monthly Galaxy Cup. No fees are published.
Visiting teams. ATHL ran a September Hockey Classic in Dubai from 22 to 28 September 2025, listed at USD 1,400. The page says this included a hotel, transfers, meals, a yacht trip and an Abu Dhabi tour, but does not say whether the price is per player or per team. Its registration form lists "Dubai 2027" with no dates or price yet.
Masters. Aletihad reported on 13 February 2026 that the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 included ice hockey at Zayed Sports City.
Abroad. Galaxy reports its Warriors 40+ team won gold at the President's Cup in Bishkek in May to June 2026, and an adult Warriors side won a tournament in Hong Kong in 2025-26.
Read our adult ice hockey guide for ways to join a team first.
Is there an "Abu Dhabi Invitational"?
We found no tournament by that name. Zayed Sports City has an event page for an Ice Hockey President Tournament hosted by the Abu Dhabi Ice Sports Club, listing teams from the UAE, Belarus, Slovakia and Germany. The page shows no year or dates, so do not assume it runs in 2026-27.
How does a tournament differ from the league?
The Emirates Hockey League is a season-long senior competition. On 23 October 2026, Elite Prospects showed its six teams three games into 2026-27. Tournaments are short events, often over a weekend or school holiday, with age-group brackets. Youth players usually reach tournaments through a club or academy team, not as individuals.
If your child is just starting, a tournament is a later step. Start with our kids' ice hockey guide and check the season cost guide before committing to travel events.
What to budget for an away tournament
None of the organisers we checked publish youth entry fees. For an away event, the costs typically include:
| Cost item | Who usually sets it | Published? |
|---|---|---|
| Team entry fee | Organiser | Not on pages we checked |
| Flights and visas | Family or club | Depends on destination |
| Accommodation | Organiser package or family | Sometimes bundled |
| Club travel fee or coaching cost | Club | Ask the club |
| Kit (travel bag, spare sticks) | Family | Shop prices not verified |
Ask your club for a full written breakdown before you agree.
What to check before you act
- Confirm the GLXY Cup venue, given Galaxy Arena's opening was unconfirmed on 23 October 2026.
- Ask for entry fees, inclusions and refund terms in writing.
- Check whether a quoted price is per player or per team.
- For travel events, check visa rules for every player's passport.
- For the April 2027 IIHF event, wait for the official venue and tickets.
Questions people ask
Are there kids' ice hockey tournaments in Dubai?
Yes. Galaxy Hockey Academy lists the GLXY Cup: New Year in Dubai from 30 December 2026 to 4 January 2027 for U7 to U15, plus a monthly Galaxy Cup and a Winter Break Camp Cup in Mirdif.
Can a team from abroad enter a tournament in Dubai?
Galaxy says teams register through its Galaxy Cup page or WhatsApp. For adults, ATHL ran a seven-day amateur event in Dubai in September 2025 and lists a Dubai 2027 option.
How much does it cost to enter?
No entry fees were published on the pages we checked. ATHL's 2025 Dubai event was listed at USD 1,400 including hotel and extras, but the page does not say whether that is per player or per team.
How do UAE youth teams do at regional tournaments?
At the Gulf Youth Ice Hockey Challenge Cup in Muscat, reported in February 2026, Dubai Sandstorm won the Cubs division, Al Ain Theebs won the Juniors and Abu Dhabi Storms were runners-up.
Where can I watch hockey tournaments in the UAE?
The biggest coming event is the IIHF World Championship Division II Group A in Al Ain, listed for 19 to 25 April 2027. Ticket details had not been published by 23 October 2026.
General information only. Fees, venues and schedules change; confirm with the rink, club or league before you pay or travel. Spotted something out of date? Send us a source.
Sources
- Galaxy tournaments (glxyhockey.com)checked 23 October 2026
- GLXY Sport Hub (glxyhockey.com)checked 23 October 2026
- Gulf Youth Ice Hockey Challenge Cup concludes in Muscat (Oman Observer, 10 Feb 2026)checked 23 October 2026
- Tournaments (ATHL)checked 23 October 2026
- Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed attends Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi (Aletihad, 13 Feb 2026)checked 23 October 2026
- IIHF announcement for 2027 World Championship tournaments (Ice Hockey Australia, 30 May 2026)checked 23 October 2026
- Al Ain to host part of 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship (Aletihad, 1 Jun 2026)checked 23 October 2026
- Ice Hockey President Tournament (Zayed Sports City)checked 23 October 2026
- UAE league 2026-2027 standings (Elite Prospects)checked 23 October 2026