Does your gym or sports event need insurance in Dubai?
To get a Dubai Sports Council permit, a gym, fitness centre, academy or sports club must provide an insurance policy covering damage from its sports activities. A sports event permit needs a policy covering damage to third parties. The insurer must be licensed to operate in Dubai.
Does your gym need insurance for its Dubai permit?
Yes. To get a permit, a sports establishment must provide an insurance policy from a company licensed to operate in Dubai, covering any damage that may result from its sports activities or from breaking the resolution’s rules.1
A sports establishment is any company licensed in Dubai to run a sports activity, commercial or not. The resolution names sports clubs, sports companies, sports academies, sports centres and physical fitness centres.1
What else does the permit need?
The insurance is one of the permit conditions in Article 6. The others are a study of your activities, suitable premises that meet the authorities’ requirements, qualified staff, the equipment for your activity, approvals from other government entities, and any other conditions set by the Chairman.1 Dubai Sports Council can issue a permit with a grace period to meet missing conditions. If they are not met in time, the permit is treated as revoked.1
What does a sports event need?
A policy from a company licensed in Dubai covering damage third parties may suffer because of the event, and the approval of the venue owner.1 The event permit guide is at event permits.
Does public liability cover injuries from training or treatment?
Check the professional duty exclusion. GIG Gulf’s Business Secure public liability section excludes acts, errors or omissions in a professional duty, including medical or therapeutic treatment or advice given for a fee.2 A personal trainer’s advice or a physiotherapy session may fall under that exclusion.
Ask your insurer in writing whether injuries during coached sessions and classes are covered, and name the activities you run.
The small print
- Articles. Article 6(a)(6) for sports establishments and Article 7(a)(8) for sports events, Executive Council Resolution No. 1 of 2020. The definitions are in Article 1. Under Article 7(b), the Secretary General can exempt an event applicant from any condition except the one on names, logos and the Dubai name.1
- Limit. The resolution does not set a minimum limit. Ask Dubai Sports Council when you apply.
Sources
2
1Government of Dubai, Supreme Legislation Committee, Executive Council Resolution No. (1) of 2020 Regulating Sports Establishments and Sports Events in the Emirate of Dubai. Articles 2, 6 and 7. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Executive Council Resolution No. (1) of 2020 Regulating Sports Establishments and Sports Events in the Emirate of Dubai
2GIG Gulf, Business Secure, Beauty and Personal Care policy handbook. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Business Secure, Beauty and Personal Care policy handbook
- Owner
- Publicliabilityinsurance.ae research team
- Last review
- Next review due
- 11 May 2027
- Status
- Published