ZPTM Abu Dhabi Unveiled
A sports, education and residential development with estimated total costs exceeding US$3 billion, advanced by Abu Dhabi National Investment and Development (ADID) and JT7Group UK, in cooperation with US-based Riverside Management Group (RMG).
On Wednesday, 7 October 2026, JT7Group and Abu Dhabi National Investment and Development (ADID) presented plans for ZPTM Abu Dhabi at a media event in Abu Dhabi. Sir Kenny Dalglish, co-founder of JT7Group, joined Shamsa Alfahim, Chief Executive Officer of ADID, to introduce the project and share their ambition for its future.
The presentation marked an important public step for a development that aims to bring sport, education, homes, health and technology together in one destination. Presenter Amy Gillingham guided guests through an illustrative film and a facts presentation before leading a conversation with Sir Kenny and Shamsa about the opportunity the project could create for young people and for Abu Dhabi.
A sports city built around opportunity
ZPTM Abu Dhabi is planned as an integrated sports city with facilities for young talent, professional athletes, residents and visiting teams. The proposed development includes extensive multi-sport training facilities, a professional athlete campus, sports medicine and recovery services, performance testing and analytics, an esports and mind sports centre, and a sport and wellness hotel.
At the heart of the plan is an elite sports boarding school that would bring academic education together with coaching, training, wellbeing and athlete development. It is intended to be the first of its kind in the region.
For JT7Group, the purpose goes beyond building facilities. The ambition is to give children, and young people access to good coaching, education and clear pathways to develop their potential in sport. Over time, the project could also connect Abu Dhabi with clubs, athletes, educators and sporting organisations internationally.
“Sport can change lives when young people have the right place to learn and grow,” said Sir Kenny Dalglish. “We want to bring education, coaching, facilities and support together, and make the wider community part of it.”
Sir Kenny will help shape the sporting vision and build international relationships as the project moves forward. His involvement reflects a shared belief that a lasting sports legacy begins with opportunities for young people, supported by a wider community where sport is part of everyday life.
Homes and community alongside sport
The sports city forms part of a wider development with two coordinated residential programmes. Approximately 1,700 apartments, semi-detached villas and villas are planned within the sports city for local and international buyers. A separate programme is planned to provide approximately 2,000 homes for Emirati families, together with community facilities and green spaces.
The combined plan therefore provides for approximately 3,700 homes. Bringing residential life together with sport, education, wellness and hospitality is intended to create an active community throughout the year, as well as a destination for athletes and visitors.
“This is an opportunity to create a sports city with international reach and lasting value for Abu Dhabi,” said Shamsa Alfahim. “Alongside the sports and education facilities, we want to provide quality homes for Emirati families.”
A partnership focused on long-term value
The development is being advanced with the backing of leading international institutional capital partners and in cooperation with Riverside Management Group (RMG), a leading boutique merchant bank in global sports and entertainment.
RMG is taking the lead on institutional capital engagement, capital transaction structuring and strategic project and investment planning. The partners intend to work with organisations across sport, education, medicine, finance, technology and real estate as the project develops.
“The combination of an ambitious sporting vision, a strong Abu Dhabi partner and a phased development plan gives it real long-term potential,” said Jim Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer of RMG.
This wider approach is intended to bring international expertise and investment to Abu Dhabi while creating sustainable social and economic value locally. For JT7Group, that means working towards a destination that serves families and young athletes in the UAE, while building relationships that can give the project a global reach.
From announcement to delivery
The next stage of work includes finalising the development structure and masterplan alignment, coordinating land and project rights, preparing the financing framework, engaging relevant stakeholders and progressing the required approvals and definitive agreements.
The partners are targeting a start to construction in early 2027, subject to those agreements and approvals. Delivery is planned in phases over approximately three to five years, with the elite sports boarding school targeted to open in 2029. Future phases are expected to include further sports and destination facilities, potentially including a larger stadium and a multi-purpose dome.
The announcement was a milestone for everyone involved in bringing ZPTM Abu Dhabi to this stage. The work ahead is substantial, but the ambition is clear: to build opportunities for young people through sport and create a true long-term sports legacy for Abu Dhabi.
Shamsa Alfahim, Chief Executive Officer of ADID:
“This is an opportunity to create a sports city with international reach and lasting value for Abu Dhabi. Alongside the sports and education facilities, we want to provide quality homes for Emirati families. Bringing the plans forward in phases, with the right partners around the table, can create a destination that serves the community and attracts talent from around the world.”
Sir Kenny Dalglish, Co-founder of JT7Group:
“Sport can change lives when young people have the right place to learn and grow. We want to bring education, coaching, facilities and support together, and make the wider community part of it. I’m proud to represent JT7Group alongside ADID as we work towards a destination that could set a new standard for sport in Abu Dhabi and beyond.”
Jim Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer of RMG:
“Over the last decade, we have always looked for exciting new initiatives in sport, and this project truly fits the bill. The combination of an ambitious sporting vision, a strong Abu Dhabi partner and a phased development plan gives it real long-term potential. We look forward to working with ADID and JT7Group on the project structure and development.”
About ADID
Abu Dhabi National Investment and Development (ADID) is a publicly listed company on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and is the investment and development partner for the proposed project.
About JT7Group
JT Seven Group Ltd (JT7Group) is a UK-based group focused on sports-led development, technology and strategic partnerships across sport, education and destination projects. JT7Group is the concept originator and strategic development partner for the project.
About RMG
Riverside Management Group (RMG) is a merchant banking firm with more than 30 years of experience, over 60 senior people and advisers, and a presence in New York, Madrid, Miami, Liverpool and San Francisco. Over the past five years, its Sports & Entertainment Division as independent sponsor and adviser have completed nearly US$5 billion in transactions and partnered with several of the world’s largest financial institutions.
Media enquiries
ADID: ceo@adid.ae
JT7Group: post@jt7group.com
