The Emirates Dubai 7s has landed a proper headline act for its 2026 edition: R&B star Akon will play the main Frequency on 8 stage on Saturday, November 28, wrapping up day two of the three-day sports and music festival at The Sevens Stadium.
The singer behind Lonely, Don't Matter and Right Now (Na Na Na) tops a music bill that also includes Mel C — yes, Sporty Spice — djing on the Beats on Two stage on Saturday, with British DJ Jax Jones taking over the same stage on Sunday, November 29. A Sunday night headliner for the main stage is still under wraps, so there's a reason to keep an eye on announcements before the weekend.
Sport is still the backbone of the event. The Dubai 7s once again opens the HSBC SVNS Series 2027 rugby calendar, but the festival spreads well beyond rugby sevens. This year's programme adds netball, cricket, WODON 3 and Rebound Padel tournaments, plus a first: Gaelic Football in the UAE, contested across Elite and Open divisions for men and women in a specially adapted seven-a-side format.
Families get extra attention too, in line with the UAE's Year of the Family. Organisers are promising their biggest kids zone yet, plus new attractions including a Ferris wheel and a zipline.
Tickets are on sale now via emiratesdubai7s.com, and prices are frozen for a third straight year. Friday entry starts from Dhs75, Saturday and Sunday day passes from Dhs455, and full three-day passes from Dhs595.
The event runs November 27 to 29 at The Sevens Stadium on Dubai's outskirts, roughly a 40-minute drive from the city centre along the Al Ain road. Plan for hot afternoons and cool evenings — November is one of Dubai's most comfortable months outdoors — and expect big crowds on Saturday when the rugby knockout rounds and Akon's set collide.
If you're travelling for it, build a long weekend: fly in Thursday or Friday morning, catch the opening rugby fixtures on day one at the cheapest ticket tier, then go big on Saturday for the sport-plus-concert combo. Taxis and ride-hailing are easy from anywhere in Dubai, though leaving the stadium after a headline set takes patience.
For sports fans, festival-goers and families wintering in the Gulf, this is one of the UAE's biggest weekends of the year — and with entry from Dhs75, it's also one of the most affordable ways to see a global music star in Dubai.
