Biggest edition yet sees 558 teams compete across nine venues in a season-long celebration of grassroots football
The Dubai Sports Council has launched the largest edition of the Dubai Open Football Academies Tournament (DOFA), bringing together 12,000 players from 117 academies in a major showcase of youth football in the UAE.
This year’s competition, organised with the UAE Football Association and Delta Aid Sport, features 558 teams, including 40 all-girls squads. Players, aged 6 to 23, will compete throughout the season in a single-round league format across nine venues, including Dubai Sports City. Top group winners will advance to the tournament’s Super Cup stage.
Player participation has grown by 9.1%, with team entries up by 11.6% from the previous year, reflecting the tournament’s growing impact on football development across the Emirates.
Facilities meet international safety and performance standards to ensure a competitive environment where players can improve and gain meaningful match experience while upholding values like fair play and teamwork.
