Table of Contents
Topic Summary
100% Foreign Ownership With No Tax Burden
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone grants full foreign ownership and zero corporate tax on qualifying income. You can also repatriate all profits without restriction, making it a financially attractive entry point.
Government Strategy Backs Sports Business Growth
The UAE's We the UAE 2031 vision and Dubai Sports Strategy set explicit targets for participation, facilities, and international events. This policy commitment creates sustained, government-backed demand for licensed sports services.
Know Exactly What Your Licence Covers
Activity code 9312.7 covers core club operations, training programmes, tournaments, memberships, and corporate hospitality. Retail equipment sales and sports-medicine services fall under separate codes and are not included.
Third-Party Approval Is a Required Step
Before your trade licence is issued, your facility, staffing, and operational model must be reviewed and cleared by the relevant authority. Building this approval process into your timeline from the start will prevent costly delays.
Multiple Revenue Streams Are Built Into the Model
The licensed activity supports memberships, season passes, competitive leagues, and B2B corporate programmes under one structure. Diversifying across these streams from launch reduces reliance on any single income source.
AML Compliance Does Not Apply to This Activity
Hockey club operations are exempt from anti-money laundering compliance requirements under this classification. That removes one layer of regulatory burden compared to other business activities in the UAE.
Dubai's Demographics Create a Ready Market
A young, active population combined with the city's investment in sports infrastructure drives consistent demand for licensed club services. The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan further reinforces long-term growth in community fitness and sports participation.
How to Start a Hockey Club Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
A licensed hockey club business serves Dubai's sports and active-lifestyle market.¹
Dubai's investment in sports facilities, event hosting, and community fitness, combined with a young, active population,³ drives sustained demand for licensed sports services.
That combination of active-lifestyle culture, government investment, and a growing population is exactly where the opportunity lies.
The UAE has positioned sport as a strategic pillar under We the UAE 2031 and the Dubai Sports Strategy, with explicit targets for participation, facilities, and international events.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Sports investors | Groups deploying capital into sports facilities, clubs, and event infrastructure in Dubai. |
| Sports founders and operators | Athletes, coaches, and sports professionals launching licensed sports businesses in Dubai. |
| International sports brands | Global sports chains, academies, and event promoters establishing a licensed Dubai presence. |
Setting up through Meydan Free Zone means 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, full profit repatriation, and a fully digital licensing process, giving you a fast and cost-effective route into the Dubai market.
9312.7 - Hockey Club
Under this activity, you are in the business of operating a licensed hockey club business.
Services are delivered under the relevant regulatory oversight with appropriate facilities, equipment, and qualified personnel.¹
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Core Operations | Primary delivery. Hockey Club core operational and service delivery. |
| Events and Competitions | Tournaments and fixtures. Organised events, leagues, tournaments, and competitive programming. |
| Training and Development | Coaching and skills. Structured training, coaching, and athlete-development programmes. |
| Membership and Subscriptions | Recurring revenue. Membership packages, season passes, and subscription models. |
| Corporate and Hospitality | B2B services. Corporate team-building, hospitality events, and sponsored programmes. |
There are some things this activity does not cover. Retail sale of sporting goods and equipment falls under trading codes.
Healthcare, physiotherapy, and sports-medicine services are classified under health activity codes.
In short: if you are operating a licensed hockey club business, you are in. If you are retailing equipment, providing medical services, or operating outside this scope, you are not.
Third-Party Approval
This business activity requires third-party approval before the trade licence is issued. In practice, your facility, operational model, staffing, and regulatory documentation must be reviewed and cleared by the relevant authority before licensing.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This business activity is exempt from AML compliance requirements.
