The lanes at the Khalifa International Bowling Centre are about to get a serious glow-up. Zayed Sports City has announced a full-scale renovation of one of Abu Dhabi’s most-loved sporting venues, an upgrade that signals the start of a new era for a facility that welcomes more than 17,000 games every month.
For more than two decades, the centre has been a constant in the city’s sporting landscape, serving international federations, league players, family crowds, casual first-timers and long-standing community groups such as the Abu Dhabi Filipino Bowling Club. Anyone who has visited on a busy weekend knows the energy inside: the sound of pins crashing, the echo of laughter, the competition, the camaraderie. It is a place where Abu Dhabi’s sporting culture comes alive.
The renovation, delivered in partnership with Brunswick Bowling, will introduce advanced scoring and lane systems while refreshing the visitor journey from the moment guests arrive. A reimagined reception area, improved lobby flow and modernised, more comfortable public spaces will complement the new technology on the lanes, creating an enhanced overall experience for both players and spectators.
The centre will temporarily close from 25 November to 31 December 2025, reopening in the new year ready to welcome the next generation of bowlers, teams and fans. Since opening in 1999, the 40-lane venue has hosted multiple World Championships, the Asian Bowling Championship, the Special Olympics World Games and countless regional and community tournaments. Elite talent and everyday bowlers have long shared the space, making it one of Abu Dhabi’s most inclusive and culturally significant sporting homes.
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Danny Klima, General Manager at Zayed Sports City, described the renovation as “another key step in our ongoing journey to reinvigorate Zayed Sports City and strengthen its role as a leading destination for grassroots, national, and international sports.” His sentiment echoes what many in the community already feel: this upgrade isn’t only about better lanes or new equipment. It’s about elevating a venue where friendships form, families gather and clubs like the Abu Dhabi Filipino Bowling Club have built a long-standing sense of belonging.
The refurbishment also aligns with parent company OVG Middle East’s ambition to transform Zayed Sports City into a future-ready destination for athletes, federations and fans, a place where community and high performance can coexist, and where young people can discover sport in an environment designed for them to thrive.
