Some of the world’s most iconic football names are heading to Sharjah this January as the emirate prepares to host Sharjah Week of the Stars, a major sports tourism event bringing global legends and fans together.

Organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the week-long celebration will combine football, padel, footgolf and sightseeing experiences, positioning Sharjah as a growing hub for international sports tourism.

The highlight of the programme is “Night of the Stars”, a special football match taking place on January 11 at Sharjah Football Stadium, featuring 36 former international players. Legends set to appear include Fabio Cannavaro, Roberto Baggio, David Trezeguet, John Terry, Wesley Sneijder, Eric Abidal, Fernando Llorente and Essam El Hadary.

Other key events include the Legends Padel Tour on January 10 at World Padel Academy, as well as the Sharjah International Footgolf Tournament, alongside curated tours showcasing the emirate’s cultural and leisure attractions.

According to SCTDA, the event highlights the growing link between sport and tourism, with sports tourism now accounting for around 10 per cent of global tourism spending, based on UN Tourism data.