Design Duels Season 3 Returns this October with New Sports

Design Duels, the UAE’s biggest multi-sport event for the design and home improvement industries, returns for its third season on Saturday, 11 October 2025 at Danube Sports World.

Hosted by Casa Milano and supported by the Dubai Sports Council, the event will once again bring the industry together for a day of high-energy competition, networking, and community spirit. Registration will be open from August 15 to September 15 through the Playinga app.

Reflecting on the journey so far, Azhar Sajan, director of Casa Milano and Danube Hospitality, said:

“Over the past two seasons, Design Duels has become more than just a sports tournament. It is a celebration of the design community. Our first season brought together 78 companies and 1,200 participants. In Season 2, we grew to 120 companies and 2,100 participants. Every event we host at Casa Milano is about bringing the design community together, building connections and creating moments beyond the workplace.”

Jotun supports this year’s event as platinum sponsor, Oryx Doors and Windows as gold sponsor, Danube Sports World as venue partner, and Intelier as events & media partner. In 2025, the event will return to its original one-day format. 

“We have refined participation to focus on design and architecture companies and contractors, staying true to the industry roots of Design Duels,” Sajan explained and added that this year he’s expecting between 80 to 100 companies to take part in this year’s competition.

The competition will also expand with two new sports: Pickleball, one of the fastest-growing racket sports globally, and Carrom, a classic board game enjoyed by many.

“These new additions make the event more inclusive and fun for all skill levels,” Sajan explained.

Season 3 will also debut a new jersey collection to give each team a fresh look and proudly display their company logos on the court.

For the first time, Design Duels will introduce Brand Ambassadors. These are leading voices from the design industry who have supported the event over the years and represent the collaboration and energy of the community. 

The 2025 Brand Ambassadors are: Firas Alsahin (4SPACE Design), Olena Vasylieva (XBD Collective), Rakan Jandali (KCA International), Esther Echeverria (L&C Recruitment), Indu Govindan (Jea / Abra), Ahmed Sultan (Finasi), Siddharth Peters (Love That Design), Helia Rad (Helia Rad Design), Christian Merieau (MMAC Design Associates), Richard Fitzgerald (Lovin Dubai), Leali Ezzat (Ele Interior), and Mihir Sanganee (Designsmith).

Firas Alsahin, co-founder and design director at 4SPACE, said: “For us, Design Duels is where the design community gets to swap the design tools for sports gear. It is a chance to step away from the deadlines, meet our peers in a completely different setting, and enjoy some friendly competition. It is about seeing another side of the people we usually meet in meetings or at industry events.”

Olena Vasylieva, design manager at XBD Collective, added: “The design industry thrives on connection, and events like Design Duels break down the walls between studios, suppliers and creatives. It is a rare opportunity for professionals to network without the formality, to share ideas in a relaxed environment and to foster a sense of community that inspires future collaborations.”

Design Duels Season 3 will take place on Saturday, 11 October 2025, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Danube Sports World in Dubai.