McDonald’s UAE is expanding its youth-focused sports initiative, broadening the scope of its Junior Academy beyond padel to include basketball, football, and cricket. The new Junior Sports Academy, set to begin this September, aims to give children aged 8 to 12 more opportunities to learn new skills, stay active, and connect with peers in a structured, supportive environment.
The program builds on the earlier Junior Padel Academy, which since its 2023 launch has introduced over 1,000 children across the Emirates to the sport. The new version extends that approach across multiple disciplines. Sessions will run on weekends for eight weeks, led by professional coaches at sports facilities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Registration is priced at AED 100 per child, with coaching, equipment, and kits covered by McDonald’s UAE. Each program concludes with an award ceremony recognizing participants’ progress.
CEO Walid Fakih said the decision to expand the program was influenced by feedback from parents who had seen tangible changes in their children’s confidence and enthusiasm after taking part in padel training. By adding more sports, the company hopes to reach a wider range of interests and encourage more children to engage in physical activity.
The schedule begins with padel sessions from September 27 to November 15, followed by basketball from October 4 to November 22. Football and cricket will launch in early 2026. Training venues include local clubs such as Gaby Reca Padel Academy in Abu Dhabi, Padel AE and Oxygen Padel Sport Academy in Dubai, and Padel Arena in Sharjah, among others.
McDonald’s UAE has operated in the country since 1994 and now runs more than 200 outlets. Alongside its food operations, the company has emphasized community-focused programs and environmental initiatives, including a biodiesel project launched in 2011 that converts used cooking oil into fuel for its logistics fleet.
The Junior Sports Academy reflects that broader strategy, aligning with McDonald’s efforts to position itself not only as a restaurant chain but also as an active supporter of family and community wellbeing in the UAE.
