Sharjah to Host Global Football Legends at Sharjah’s Week of the Stars

Sharjah’s Week of the Stars

The “Sharjah’s Week of the Stars” returns for its fourth edition under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council. This annual event has cemented its position as a unique opportunity to celebrate sports and culture in the emirate. Organized by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) in collaboration with IFDA, FIFA, and FIFA+, the event runs from January 7, the arrival date of the players, until January 12, 2026. “Sharjah’s Week of the Stars” brings together iconic football figures and features an array of activities designed to highlight Sharjah’s prominent role as a global hub for culture, tourism, and sports.

Details of the event were announced during a press conference organized by SCTDA on Thursday, attended by His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, His Excellency Mohammed Obaid Al Hosan, Secretary General of the Sharjah Sports Council, Mr. Ali Al Aref, CEO of World Padel Academy, Mr. Youri Djorkaeff, Special Football Advisor to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Mr. Massimiliano Suglia, Director-General of IFDA, Mr. Sam McLaren, Director of Golf at the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, Mr. Steve Crane, CEO of the Professional FootGolf Tour, and several football legends including Fernando Llorente and David Trezeguet.

In its fourth edition, “Sharjah’s Week of the Stars” has become one of the most prominent sporting events on the global stage, attracting significant attention and outstanding participation from top athletes and legendary footballers from around the world. The event’s ongoing success highlights Sharjah’s commitment to hosting world-class sporting events that showcase its continuous efforts to enhance its position as a distinguished cultural and sports destination.

His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa emphasized Sharjah’s dedication to organizing large-scale events to showcase its capabilities and enhance its tourism ecosystem by spotlighting its cultural and sports landmarks.

In his speech, His Excellency said, “With the fourth edition of this event, we aim to highlight Sharjah’s efforts in achieving harmony between tourism, sports, and sustainability, adhering to the highest international standards. Hosting such global events demonstrates the significant development that Sharjah has achieved in hospitality, infrastructure, and organizational capabilities. This reflects the vision and directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, whose support for sports has positioned them as an integral part of the emirate’s overall development.”

He added, “This year’s edition is particularly special as Sharjah hosts a representative from FIFA for the first official collaboration with FIFA and FIFA+ as part of the week’s activities. This partnership is proof of our determination to forge strategic global alliances that bolster sports tourism and position Sharjah prominently on the global map for both tourism and sports.”

He further stated, “Sports tourism accounts for approximately 10% of global tourism expenditure and, according to data from the World Tourism Organization, is projected to grow by 17.5% between 2023 and 2030. Therefore, Sharjah is keen on diversifying the events it hosts, especially in sports and tourism, while strengthening its position as a hub for major international events.”

A Remarkable Program

The 2026 edition of Sharjah’s Week of the Stars promises a lineup of unique and engaging activities, including:

Event 1: “Legends Padel Tour”

  • Date: January 10, 2026
  • Location: World Padel Academy, Sharjah
  • Organized by SCTDA, this event will feature international football legends competing in a thrilling padel championship.

Event 2: “Football Legends in FootGolf”

  • Date: January 11, 2026
  • Location: Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club
  • The event will include participants from a wide range of countries competing in the “Sharjah International FootGolf Championship.” Football legends will join the participants in friendly yet competitive FootGolf matches on the final day, creating a memorable and exhilarating experience for both players and the audience.

Event 3: “Night of Stars” Football Match

  • Date: January 11, 2026
  • Location: Sharjah Sports Club Stadium
  • The “Night of Stars” is a highlight of the week, featuring an exciting football match. Thirty-six legendary retired football players, including Andrea Pirlo, Francesco Totti, Wesley Sneijder, Fabio Cannavaro, David Trezeguet, Marco Materazzi, Robert Pires, Eric Abidal, and many more, will participate.

Sharjah International FootGolf Tournament 2026

Coinciding with the participation of football legends, the Sharjah International FootGolf Tournament will begin on January 8 and run until January 11 at the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club. This year’s tournament has already reached full capacity, with 170 players from 31 countries and 130 players on the waiting list, reflecting the event’s immense international appeal. The prize pool for this year’s tournament is $30,000 — the largest cash prize in the history of global FootGolf championships.

The championship schedule includes training sessions, qualifying rounds, and final competitions:

  • Day 1: Evening practice sessions and course introductions.
  • Day 2: Morning training, followed by the first round of point collection at noon.
  • Day 3: Second round of point collection in the morning, leading into qualification rounds in the afternoon.
  • Day 4: Final rounds to determine the winner, complemented by a special friendly FootGolf match featuring international football legends to inspire and motivate the participants.

Football Legends Participating

This year’s star-studded event will feature some of the most renowned names in football history, including:

  • Francesco Totti
  • Essam El Hadary
  • Mido
  • Wesley Sneijder
  • John Terry
  • Roberto Baggio
  • Robert Pires
  • Andrea Pirlo
  • Bacary Sagna
  • Alessandro Florenzi
  • David Trezeguet
  • Marco Materazzi, among many others

With every edition, Sharjah’s Week of the Stars continues to prove the emirate’s status as a leading destination for hosting major international events that seamlessly merge sports and tourism. The event reflects Sharjah’s ambitious vision for a future filled with excellence, growth, and innovation.

Football fans can book their tickets to attend the “Night of Stars” match and enjoy the unique opportunity to meet the legends in person by visiting the following link on Platinumlist: https://sharjah.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/103943/sharjah-week-of-the-stars-night-of-the-stars.