Why the UAE has become the go-to destination for Premier League clubs

Dubai: Just a couple of months ago, Arsenal touched down in Dubai for a warm-weather training camp. Later Everton came to Abu Dhabi, training against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. 

Aston Villa also made the journey, using their visit not just to train, but to take on 2023/24 AFC Champions League winners Al Ain FC in preparation for a jam-packed end to their season. 

This growing influx of Premier League teams to the UAE reflects a broader trend: top-tier clubs increasingly choosing the sun-soaked shores of Dubai and Abu Dhabi for mid-season and pre-season camps. 

The list keeps growing. Liverpool - this season’s Premier League champions - Chelsea, two-time Champions League winners, and Abu Dhabi-backed serial winners Manchester City have all opted for warm-weather breaks in the region over the last few years. 

Elite facilities

Adding to the appeal, it’s not just teams making the trip - England internationals Jack Grealish and Luke Shaw have both taken advantage of the elite facilities at JA Sports & Shooting Club during solo training stints in recent years. 

While the most obvious reason the UAE has become the go-to destination for a mid-season break is its reliably warm winter weather - especially when England is soaked in rain and gripped by freezing temperatures - there’s much more to it than just sunshine. 

It’s also the promise of escape: a break from the relentless pressures of life back home. 

But perhaps most compelling is the UAE’s ever-expanding portfolio of world-class facilities. From state-of-the-art football pitches all housed within luxury resorts, to cutting-edge gyms and sports science labs offering real-time, data-driven insights into player performance, the environment is tailored for peak preparation - and peace of mind. 

“We’ve seen a growing number of elite athletes - including regulars from top-tier Premier League sides - make the trip to the UAE to take advantage of our world-class facilities,” said Stuart Gibb, General Manager – Sports at JA Sports & Shooting Club. 

“With the exceptional facilities we offer, players and managers view it as a ‘home away from home’ - a place where they can fully focus on training and rehabilitation, while also bonding as a team," he added.

Key training destination

That “home-from-home” feeling is a key reason why so many top clubs continually choose the UAE as their preferred training destination. For teams that are increasingly cautious about the quality of facilities they use and player workloads, this familiarity and comfort is crucial. 

That comfort is exactly what they get in the UAE - world-class sports complexes that mirror the standards and often exceed the service of their home training grounds.

Take the upcoming new facility at JA Sports & Shooting Club as a prime example of what elite teams now can expect. Six floodlit, international-size football pitches, each with dedicated goalkeeper and skills training zones - designed specifically with top-tier teams in mind. 

Opening shortly after the summer, the new facilities will also include fully equipped changing rooms, dedicated home and away training bases, and two pitches with 500-seat stands for spectators.

What’s more, pristine pitch conditions will be maintained year-round, thanks to a private 800 sqm turf farm - ensuring maintenance excellence that meets the highest global performance standards. 

“The facilities we are developing at JA Sports & Shooting Club are setting a new benchmark for the region,” said Gibb. 

“They are world-class in every respect, purpose-built to support elite-level training. However, what truly differentiates us is the comprehensive environment that surrounds these facilities. It’s the combination of infrastructure and experience that makes this venue uniquely compelling for clubs around the world," he added. 

 Take Arsenal’s visit last season. At the time, the Gunners were struggling, with just three wins and 10 goals in their seven matches leading up to the trip. But after a rejuvenating spell in the UAE, Mikel Arteta’s side returned revitalised. What followed was nothing short of remarkable: an 11-match unbeaten run - 10 of them wins. Arsenal would go on to lose just one of their final 18 Premier League games, narrowly missing out on the title to Manchester City on the final day. 

This season, Everton’s visit to the UAE has been part of a significant turnaround under David Moyes. The Toffees have climbed from 17th to 13th in the table, boosted by standout performances against Champions League contenders Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.