ABU DHABI, 16th August, 2026 (WAM) -- The 7th edition of the IMMAF Youth World Championships takes place in Abu Dhabi at Mubadala Arena from 17 to 23 August 2026.

Hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation in partnership with the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), the event will attract over 1100 athletes aged 10 to 17 from 55 countries to compete across Youth A, B, C, and D divisions. The UAE national team is participating with a squad of 47 male and female players, distributed across the four age categories.

Abu Dhabi is hosting the seven-day event for the fifth consecutive year, reaffirming its status as a global destination for major sports championships and building upon the organisational expertise gained from previous editions.

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown stated that Abu Dhabi hosting the championship for the fifth consecutive year reflects the success of the ongoing partnership with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and MMA Federation-a collaboration that has contributed to the event's year-on-year development and kept pace with the continuous growth in the number of participants.

He added that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has finalized all preparations to host the championship in accordance with the highest standards, expressing his anticipation for an exceptional edition that builds upon the successes of previous ones and offers players and delegations a top-tier sporting and organizational experience throughout the event.

For his part, Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and MMA Federation, emphasised that organisational success begins well before the competitions start, relying on early planning and the seamless integration of roles among the various teams. He noted that the experience gained from previous editions contributed to the development of a comprehensive organisational plan that aligns with the scale of the event and the diversity of its categories.