Al Maryah Sports Center: The Complete Guide to Training at Abu Dhabi’s Premier Sports Destination

If you’ve been searching for the best place to play, train, or develop as an athlete in the capital, then the Al Maryah Sports Center should be at the top of your list. Officially known as ACTIVE Al Maryah Island, this world-class sports and recreation destination sits on the north side of Al Maryah Island, just minutes from Abu Dhabi’s business district. Moreover, it’s where Dominant Academy runs its elite football and basketball training programs.

So in this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Al Maryah Sports Center: its facilities, its location, what makes it special, and finally how your child can train there with one of Abu Dhabi’s leading sports academies.

What Is the Al Maryah Sports Center?

The Al Maryah Sports Center, branded as ACTIVE Al Maryah Island, is a premium sports and recreation hub developed in partnership with Zayed Sports City. Since opening, it has quickly become one of the most sought-after sporting destinations in the UAE. Consequently, it now attracts top academies, competitive clubs, and recreational players across multiple sports.

However, what really sets this Al Maryah Island sports center apart is the sheer quality and variety of its facilities. Whether you’re a parent looking for structured youth football training, a basketball enthusiast, or simply someone who wants to stay active in a professional environment, this venue delivers at every level.

World-Class Facilities at the Al Maryah Sports Center

Indeed, few sports complexes in the region can match what’s on offer here.

Football Pitches

First and foremost, football is the heart of the Al Maryah Sports Center. The venue features full-size outdoor pitches, including a meticulously maintained natural grass pitch and FIFA Pro Certified artificial turf fields. In addition, hard courts are available for 5-a-side football and futsal.

The crown jewel, however, is the Al Maryah Sports Dome — namely, a fully air-conditioned indoor facility housing a full-size FIFA-certified football pitch. As a result, players can train at the highest level all year round, even during the peak of the Abu Dhabi summer. For young footballers, that consistency is a game-changer: no cancelled sessions, no compromised training quality, but instead uninterrupted development.

Basketball and Multipurpose Courts

Second, the center includes acrylic multi-sports courts suitable for basketball, handball, netball, and more. These are therefore perfect for structured academy basketball training as well as for casual play.

Tennis, Padel, and More

Beyond football and basketball, the Al Maryah Sports Center also offers ATP-standard outdoor tennis courts, indoor and outdoor padel courts, and a range of additional recreation options. Ultimately, that makes it a true multi-sport destination for the whole family.

Where Is the Al Maryah Sports Center Located?

The center sits on the north side of Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi’s business and lifestyle district. Specifically, it’s roughly five minutes from the city’s financial center and about 30 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, with ample free parking on-site. So for families living in central Abu Dhabi, Al Reem Island, or the surrounding areas, it’s one of the most accessible elite training venues in the city. You can find the exact location on the map here.

Train at the Al Maryah Sports Center with Dominant Academy

Here’s where it gets exciting for aspiring athletes. Dominant Academy — Abu Dhabi’s first football performance academy — runs both its football and basketball programs at the Al Maryah Sports Center.

Training at this venue therefore means your child develops on the same world-class surfaces used by professional-standard clubs and academies. Furthermore, when you combine that environment with Dominant Academy’s coaching philosophy, you get a genuine pathway from grassroots to elite performance.

Football Training at Al Maryah

Our Dominant Football Academy programs at the Al Maryah Sports Center cater to players aged 3 to 17 — from fun-based foundational sessions for our youngest Dominant Juniors, through to high-intensity, competition-focused training for our Elite Squad. Players are grouped by ability rather than by age alone, so that every athlete trains at the level that pushes them forward.

In addition, our coaching staff includes ex-professional and semi-professional footballers along with strength and conditioning specialists. Together, they deliver structured, age-appropriate sessions that build technique, speed, endurance, and game intelligence. Before you visit, check the football timetable and football pricing.

Basketball Training at Al Maryah

Similarly, Dominant Academy’s basketball academy program brings the same high-performance approach to the court. Through our Progressive Coaching model, players aged 3 to 17 advance based on skill mastery, rather than on age or physical attributes. Consequently, they develop dribbling, shooting, defense, and athleticism in a competitive yet supportive environment. See the basketball timetable and basketball pricing to get started.

Why Families Choose the Al Maryah Sports Center for Youth Sports

• Year-round training: because of the indoor dome, football never stops, regardless of the weather.
• Professional-grade surfaces: FIFA-certified pitches and ATP-standard courts reduce injury risk and, at the same time, elevate performance.
• Central, convenient location: minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi, and free on-site parking too.
• Elite academy access: furthermore, training with Dominant Academy here connects players to leagues, tournaments, and scholarship and scouting opportunities.
• A complete family destination: since the venue offers multiple sports, food options, and recreation spaces, the whole family can enjoy the visit.

How to Join Dominant Academy at the Al Maryah Sports Center

Getting started is simple. Whether your child is taking their first touches of a football or already pushing toward an elite pathway, there’s a program for them at the Al Maryah Sports Center.

So register now, visit our contact page, call us at +971 52 109 3130, or email info@dominantacademy.com to book a trial session. Spaces in our ability-based squads are limited; therefore, we recommend registering early. Meanwhile, you can browse our gallery and latest news to see the academy in action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sports are available at the Al Maryah Sports Center? The center hosts football, basketball, tennis, padel, handball, netball, and futsal, among others, with both indoor and outdoor facilities.

Is there indoor football at the Al Maryah Sports Center? Yes. The Al Maryah Sports Dome features a full-size, air-conditioned indoor pitch with FIFA-certified turf, so year-round play is possible.

What age groups can train with Dominant Academy at Al Maryah? Dominant Academy offers football and basketball programs for children and teens aged 3 to 17, from beginner right through to elite level. Additionally, all programs are open to every child, at every level.

Where exactly is the Al Maryah Sports Center? It’s located on the north side of Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi — about five minutes from the central business district, and free parking is available.

Does Dominant Academy train anywhere else in Abu Dhabi? Yes. Besides Al Maryah Island, we also train at the Zayed Cricket Stadium branch in Khalifa City, and we run seasonal football camps as well.

Ready to train at Abu Dhabi’s premier sports destination? Join Dominant Academy’s football and basketball programs at the Al Maryah Sports Center, and start your journey today.

One Path, One Mentality.