Abu Dhabi will welcome young wrestlers from the UAE and abroad on November 14–15, with preliminary competition at NYU Abu Dhabi and championship finals at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
Abu Dhabi is set to host the first international edition of Real American Freestyle’s (RAF) NEXT GEN youth wrestling tournament in the Middle East, adding a junior competition to the organisation’s inaugural UAE event weekend.
Scheduled for November 14 and 15, 2026, the tournament will bring together emerging wrestlers competing across four age groups. The opening-day qualifiers will take place at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU Abu Dhabi), before the finalists move to Etihad Arena on Yas Island for the championship rounds on November 15.
The event is being organised through a partnership between RAF, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the UAE Wrestling Federation. The organisers say the programme is designed to give young athletes opportunities to compete, gain ranking points and potentially progress towards future RAF championship events.
Four age groups, including girls’ competitions
The tournament will feature under-11, under-13, under-15 and under-17 divisions. Girls’ competitions are included in the under-13 and under-15 categories.
The competition is open to athletes representing the UAE Wrestling Federation and other regional federations, as well as individual entrants, subject to the event’s registration requirements and available places.
According to the official RAF NEXT GEN Abu Dhabi event page, registration opened on October 13. The published schedule lists November 6 as the registration deadline, with earlier closure possible when individual weight categories reach their entry limits.
The organisers have also published a participant registration fee of AED 150 per athlete. Prospective competitors should check the official event page for eligibility rules, age and weight categories, medical requirements and the latest registration information before entering.
From university qualifiers to Yas Island finals
The two-day format will take young competitors from NYU Abu Dhabi’s Performance Gym on Saadiyat Island to Etihad Arena at Yas Bay, Yas Island.
Preliminary competition is scheduled for November 14, from 9am to 3pm. The finals are listed for November 15, from noon to 5pm.
Holding the championship rounds at Etihad Arena connects the youth tournament with the wider RAF Abu Dhabi programme. The venue is also scheduled to host the organisation’s professional wrestling event on November 14, headlined by Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington.
For the young athletes who reach the final stage, competing at the same arena used for the professional event provides a prominent setting for the tournament’s closing rounds.
Part of a five-year Abu Dhabi partnership
RAF NEXT GEN is an extension of a five-year agreement involving RAF, DCT Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation to bring wrestling events to the UAE capital.
The partnership combines professional sporting events with a development pathway for younger competitors. The youth programme is intended to connect athletes, coaches and wrestling federations within RAF’s competitive structure, while giving promising wrestlers a potential route towards higher-level events.
RAF launched NEXT GEN in the United States earlier in 2026. Its Abu Dhabi edition marks the programme’s first international appearance, according to the organisers.
The UAE Wrestling Federation will sanction the Abu Dhabi tournament under United World Wrestling (UWW) rules, according to RAF’s official event information.
What participants should know
Athletes considering entry should review the event’s published requirements carefully. RAF lists a weigh-in and medical-check process at NYU Abu Dhabi on November 13, the day before competition begins.
Registration is subject to limits within individual weight categories, and the organisers state that participants must meet the event’s medical and insurance requirements. Athletes should use the official RAF NEXT GEN Abu Dhabi page for the current schedule and entry conditions.
Further details about participating federations and event-week programming may be announced closer to the tournament.
With its international debut in Abu Dhabi, RAF NEXT GEN will give youth wrestlers a dedicated competition alongside a major professional wrestling weekend, bringing junior development and elite-level sport together in the UAE capital.
Q1. What is RAF NEXT GEN Abu Dhabi?
RAF NEXT GEN Abu Dhabi is an international youth wrestling tournament organised by Real American Freestyle in partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation.
Q2. When will RAF NEXT GEN Abu Dhabi take place?
The tournament is scheduled for November 14–15, 2026.
Q3. Where will the wrestling tournament be held?
Preliminary competition will take place at NYU Abu Dhabi’s Performance Gym on Saadiyat Island on November 14. The finals are scheduled for Etihad Arena on Yas Island on November 15.
Q4. Which age groups can compete?
The tournament includes under-11, under-13, under-15 and under-17 divisions. Girls’ categories are listed for the under-13 and under-15 groups.
Q5. How much does registration cost?
RAF’s official event page lists a registration fee of AED 150 per athlete. Participants should check the official registration portal for current conditions and availability.
Q6. When does registration close?
The published schedule lists November 6 as the registration deadline, although individual weight categories may close sooner if their entry limits are reached.
Q7. Is RAF NEXT GEN part of the main RAF Abu Dhabi event?
Yes. It forms part of the wider RAF Abu Dhabi weekend and the five-year partnership between RAF, DCT Abu Dhabi and the UAE Wrestling Federation.
Q8. Where can athletes find official registration information?
Athletes can visit the official RAF NEXT GEN Abu Dhabi event page for registration, divisions, schedules and participation requirements.
