Sports Management & Marketing
For athlete management, sponsorships, brand deals and sports consultancy. The core licence for the industry.
SportsAgency
ISEZA Free Zone Company Formation
The world's first sports and entertainment free zoneSet up in the first free zone built only for sports and entertainment. ISEZA sits inside Dubai's DWTC Free Zone at One Central, with 100% ownership and zero income tax.
Excellent
World's first sports and entertainment zone
Inside DWTC Free Zone, One Central
Backed by the UAE Ministry of Sports
For sports, media, events and e-sports
100% ownership, zero income tax
Excellent
ISEZA Free Zone
What is ISEZA Free Zone?
ISEZA, the International Sports and Entertainment Zone, is the world's first free zone built only for sports and entertainment. It launched in March 2025 and sits inside the DWTC Free Zone at One Central, near the Museum of the Future.
ISEZA is an industry cluster first and a free zone second. It gives sports, media, events and entertainment firms one licensing home, backed by the UAE Ministry of Sports, Dubai Sports Council and the UAE National Olympic Committee.
The zone is part of Dubai's D33 economic agenda. Dubai's sports sector already adds about $2.5 billion a year to the economy. ISEZA is the first-mover home for the companies driving that growth.
Business Benefits
Why set up your business in ISEZA?
ISEZA earns its place for one type of founder: the one building in sports, entertainment or the tech around them. Here is what you get.
- A licensing home built only for your industry
- Backing from the UAE's top sports authorities
- A prime DWTC address at One Central
- Access to Dubai's events and exhibitions calendar
- Support for e-sports, sports-tech and fan tokens
- First-mover status in a brand-new ecosystem
- 100% foreign ownership with no local partner
- Zero personal income tax and full profit repatriation
An honest fit check
Is ISEZA Free Zone right for your business?
ISEZA is new, launched in March 2025, and built only for one industry. That is its strength for the right founder and a poor fit for the wrong one. We tell you which you are before you spend a dirham.
Choose ISEZA if you
- Work in sports, entertainment or events
- Run talent, media or agency work
- Build e-sports, gaming or sports-tech
- Want first-mover status in a new zone
- Value the UAE sports-body backing
- Want a DWTC address and events access
Look at another zone if you
- Run a business outside this industry
- Only want the cheapest generic licence
- Need a zone with a long track record
- Want fully settled, published processes
ISEZA is young, so some pricing and processes are still firming up. Riz & Mona tracks the zone closely and gives you a current, accurate quote rather than a guess.
Licence Benefits
What comes with your ISEZA setup?
Every ISEZA company formation gives you the documents and access you need to trade, bank, hire and operate from day one.
Trade licence
Your official ISEZA licence covering the sports or entertainment activities you select. Renewable each year.
Certificate of formation
Legal proof your company exists inside ISEZA. Banks, clients and immigration all ask for it.
Registered DWTC address
A One Central address used for banking, contracts and official filings.
Memorandum of Association
Your founding document covering shareholders, activities and governance.
Share certificates
Formal proof of who owns what. Part of your standard formation kit.
Establishment card
Your company's registration with UAE immigration. Needed before any visa.
Visa eligibility
Sponsor UAE residence visas for owners, staff and industry professionals.
Events ecosystem access
A place in the DWTC events and exhibitions calendar and its network.
Corporate and legal support
ISEZA offers tailored legal and corporate support for its members.
Licence Types
Which ISEZA licence do you need?
ISEZA offers licence categories built around the sports and entertainment industry. Your choice sets the activities you can run. Some content activities also need Media Council approval.
Event Management
For organising sports tournaments, entertainment events, award shows and fan experiences.
EventsLive
Media & Broadcasting
For sports channels, live streaming, production and digital content. Needs Media Council approval.
MediaContent
E-Sports & Gaming
For e-sports teams, tournament hosts and game developers. Content follows Media Council rules.
GamingE-sports
Technology & Innovation
For AI sports analytics, fan-engagement platforms and Web3 or fan-token ventures.
Sports-techAI
Creative & Influencer
For influencers, content creators and artists in sports and entertainment. Paid promotion needs a permit.
CreatorsSolo
Not sure which one you need?
The licence you pick sets your activities, your costs and whether you need Media Council approval. Riz & Mona confirms all three before you apply.
Legal Structures
Company structure options in ISEZA
Free Zone Establishment (FZE)
- A single shareholder company
- A separate legal entity from you
- Limited liability on personal assets
- Full control in one owner's hands
- Best for solo founders and creators
Free Zone Company (FZCO)
- Two or more shareholders
- A separate legal entity from owners
- Limited liability on personal assets
- Scales as you add partners or staff
- Best for agencies, leagues and firms
Branch Office
- Extends a company from outside ISEZA
- Runs the parent's activities
- No separate legal personality
- Parent carries full liability
- Best for brands entering the zone
Pricing
How much does an ISEZA licence cost?
ISEZA licences run from about AED 15,000 to AED 30,000 a year, plus office space and visas. Because the zone is new, treat every figure as indicative and confirm it with a live quote before you plan around it.
Flexi-desk starter
Licence from AED 15,000 + desk from AED 12,000/year
A licence and a shared desk for solo founders, agents and creators. The leanest way in.
Serviced-office company
From around AED 30,000/year all in
Your licence, a serviced office and a visa allocation. The common start for agencies and SMEs.
Commercial space
Quote-based
A private commercial space at One Central for leagues, brands and larger teams. Scales with size and visa quota.
What moves your total cost?
Licence category
A creative or influencer licence is cheaper than a full media or broadcasting one. Your activity is the biggest single driver.
Office type
A flexi-desk keeps costs low. A serviced or private office at One Central costs more and scales with size.
Visa count
Investor and employee visas start from about AED 3,500 each. Your office sets how many you can sponsor.
Extra approvals
Media, broadcasting and gaming content need Media Council approval, which adds time and fees.
Annual renewal
Budget a large share of your first-year cost each year for the licence, office and any lease renewal.
A note on these figures
All costs shown are indicative and move with your licence, office and visa count. ISEZA is a new zone, so published pricing is still settling and the only accurate number is a quote built around your business. Riz & Mona provides a personalised quote at no charge before you commit to anything.
The Process
How to set up a company in ISEZA
Most setups here run from a few days to two weeks depending on your activity and approvals. Here is the journey.
Day 1
Choose your activity
Pick from sports management, events, media, e-sports or sports-tech. This sets your licence and any approvals.
Day 1
Select a structure
Choose an FZE, an FZCO or a branch office, based on owners and your plans.
Day 1–2
Reserve your trade name
Submit your company name. It must be unique and follow UAE naming rules.
Day 2–4
Apply for your licence
Submit your application with your activity, structure and any required approvals.
Day 3–5
Lease your office
Choose a flexi-desk, shared or private office within the DWTC Free Zone.
Day 5–10
Get your licence
Once your file and approvals clear, you receive your ISEZA trade licence.
Week 2–6
Visas and banking
Apply for investor and employee visas and open a corporate bank account.
Requirements
Documents needed for ISEZA company formation
Having your file ready before you apply is what keeps your setup inside the shorter end of that timeline.
The list is light for individual applicants and heavier when a company is a shareholder. Some activities also need a business plan or extra approvals. Get the individual documents ready first, since they cover most setups.
Documents issued outside the UAE need attestation before submission. Requirements shift by nationality and activity. Riz & Mona confirms your exact checklist before you prepare anything.
For corporate shareholders
Certificate of incorporation, MOA and articles of the parent, a board resolution approving the setup, power of attorney for the signatory, and passport copies of all directors.
Full process
15–25
Working days
From entry permit to Emirates ID in hand, a standard visa runs about three to five weeks once your establishment card is live.
Visa notice Visa approvals and conditions are set by UAE immigration authorities and can change without notice. Riz & Mona Consultancy handles the full process on your behalf, from establishment card to Emirates ID collection. Only the medical test and biometrics need your presence in the UAE.
Visa & Immigration
Your ISEZA licence lets your company sponsor UAE residence visas. The number follows your office size and licence type. A flexi-desk supports a small allocation. A private office allows more.
- Investor or partner visa, renewable term
- Employee visas for your staff and talent
- Dependent visas for spouse and children
- Emirates ID for every visa holder
- Golden Visa guidance for those who qualify
- Talent and creator visa routes where eligible
Corporate Banking
Banking for ISEZA companies
UAE banks run close checks before opening any account. Sports and events firms with deal-based income get extra questions on clients and cash flow. A clear ISEZA activity gives your file a solid base. Each bank decides on its own.
Banks, timelines and what to expect
Banks that work with new-zone firms
Wio BankDigital-first
Mashreq NeoBizSME-friendly
RAKBANKNewer businesses
Emirates NBDWidely used
ADCBGrowing SMEs
Dubai Islamic BankUAE residents
Realistic account opening times
UAE resident applicant4 to 8 weeks
Non-resident applicant6 to 12 weeks
Solo founder or creator4 to 10 weeks
Digital bank3 to 7 days
- Solo founders should open a digital bank account first to keep working while the main account is reviewed.
- Event and talent firms face deeper review. Come with a clear picture of your clients and income.
- Account approval and timelines are decided by each bank and are never guaranteed. Riz & Mona positions your file well but cannot promise a decision.
Inside the Zone
Inside the ISEZA ecosystem
Generic licences exist everywhere. What ISEZA has that they do not is the sports and entertainment industry, gathered into one government-backed zone.
Free Zone Comparison
How does ISEZA compare for this industry?
The real question is not ISEZA versus every Dubai zone. It is ISEZA versus the zones a sports or entertainment founder would actually shortlist. Here is that comparison.
Not sure which zone fits your business?
Every founder weighs industry fit, cost and backing differently. Riz & Mona compares zones against your work, your clients and your budget, then recommends one.
Start Today
Start your ISEZA company setup
From licence to visas to bank account, Riz & Mona sets up your ISEZA company end to end, so you can get an early foothold in the region's sports and entertainment zone.
Free consultation•Current, quote-based pricing•Licence, visa and banking•Media Council guidance
All costs are indicative and vary by licence, office and visa count. Riz & Mona provides a personalised quote before you commit.