Abu Dhabi is getting ready to welcome the world’s best indoor skydivers this January as CLYMB™ Yas Island hosts the Second Official EEIPC 2026 World Skydiving Championships. Running from January 15 to 18, the four-day championship will bring together more than 250 elite athletes from over 30 countries.
Set inside the world’s largest indoor skydiving flight chamber, the event places Abu Dhabi firmly on the international indoor sports map. It also marks an important moment for the UAE, as local skydivers will compete at home for the first time in this championship, lining up alongside some of the biggest names in the sport.
For residents and visitors, it adds another high-energy event to an already busy winter calendar across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, when outdoor weather is perfect and sporting action is at its peak.
EEIPC 2026 is a big moment for the UAE
Indoor skydiving may still feel niche to some, but it has grown quickly in the UAE. Facilities like CLYMB Yas Island have helped introduce the sport to new audiences, from tourists looking for something different to young athletes exploring alternative competitive paths.
Hosting EEIPC 2026 shows how far the region has come. Abu Dhabi is no longer just participating in global sports. It is hosting them. The championship is being organised in collaboration with the International Bodyflight Association and the Emirates Aerosports Federation, reinforcing the UAE’s role in supporting international-standard competitions.
For Emirati athletes, the home advantage matters. Competing in familiar surroundings, with local support, brings confidence and visibility. It also sends a clear message to younger residents that global-level sports do not always require travelling abroad.
What spectators can expect over four days?
The EEIPC 2026 World Skydiving Championships is designed to be exciting even for first-time viewers. The competition features five different disciplines, each offering something unique.
One of the most visually impressive events is the 3rd International Skydiving 16-way Double Event. Sixteen athletes fly together, forming complex shapes and transitions mid-air. It is fast, precise, and relies heavily on teamwork.
The 2nd International Indoor Skydiving 8-way Event focuses on smaller teams but higher technical difficulty. Athletes perform tightly choreographed routines, where timing and accuracy are critical. Even small mistakes are easy to spot, which keeps the competition intense.
Speed lovers will enjoy the Aerial Indoor Racing World Championships. Teams race through inflatable airway dividers at high speed, trying to overtake opponents inside the tunnel. It feels closer to motorsport than traditional skydiving and usually draws loud reactions from the crowd.
New competition formats making their debut
EEIPC 2026 is also introducing two new disciplines, adding a fresh edge to this year’s event.
The first is the International Indoor Skydiving 4-way Battle Event. This is an all-female, head-to-head format where two teams fly at the same time. Judges score the performance live, and the winner is decided on the spot. It is fast-paced, easy to follow, and brings a strong sense of drama to the arena.
Another new addition is the Vertical Sequentials 8-way Event. This discipline focuses on vertical flying, with teams performing in-air transitions and full formation flips. It is one of the most technically demanding formats and highlights just how advanced indoor skydiving has become.
Both events reflect the sport’s push towards being more spectator-friendly while still challenging elite athletes.
Free entry and a family-friendly setting
One of the biggest advantages of this championship is accessibility. Entry is free, with no tickets required. Doors open at 3:00 pm on January 15, 11:00 am on January 16, and 10:00 am on the remaining days.
That makes it easy for families, tourists, and residents to drop in and watch world-class action up close. For anyone visiting Yas Island for theme parks or dining, the championships offer a different kind of experience, one that feels both international and local.
Much like Dubai’s major sporting weekends, the event fits naturally into the UAE’s winter lifestyle, where sports, entertainment, and leisure often blend into one outing.
CLYMB Yas Island at the centre of the action
CLYMB Yas Island has steadily built a reputation as a standout indoor adventure venue. Hosting EEIPC 2026 further strengthens its position as a global-standard facility.
According to the venue’s management, bringing hundreds of international athletes to Abu Dhabi is not just about competition. It is about creating a space where families, young athletes, and casual visitors can engage with a sport that is usually seen only online or overseas.
The scale of the flight chamber, combined with professional event management, ensures spectators can see every move clearly, adding to the overall experience.
For more, visit: www.clymbabudhabi.com.
Boosting sports tourism and local interest
Beyond the competition, the championships are expected to support sports tourism in Abu Dhabi. Athletes, teams, and fans contribute to hotels, restaurants, and local attractions, especially during the busy January season.
For residents, the event adds to the growing list of winter things to do across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. For young people, especially in the UAE, it opens the door to exploring sports beyond the usual options.
Internal coverage on Social Kandura around upcoming Abu Dhabi events, winter activities on Yas Island, and major UAE sports tournaments would naturally connect with this story.
The EEIPC 2026 World Skydiving Championships at CLYMB Yas Island is shaping up to be one of Abu Dhabi’s standout sporting events this winter. With global athletes, new competition formats, and free public access, it offers a rare mix of elite sport and family-friendly entertainment.
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