What UAE Team Emirates does

UAE Team Emirates is a privately funded UCI WorldTour professional road cycling team, established in 2017 with Emirates airline as title sponsor and operating through managing company CGS Cycling Team AG out of Abu Dhabi with Italian operational headquarters via New Master Srl. The team fields a roster headlined by Tadej Pogačar, who holds a record-equalling five Tour de France titles (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026), and competes across Grand Tours, Monuments, and the UCI WorldTour calendar, having held the #1 UCI team ranking for four consecutive seasons.

The team's competitive offering is built around elite athlete performance enabled by deep technology partnerships — Colnago frames, Shimano drivetrains, fizik 3D-printed One-to-One saddles with pressure-mapping sensors, MET helmets co-designed with G42's Helmetverse AI platform — and a sports science staff including physiologists, coaches, nutritionists, and sports scientists. Complementary products include an official merchandise line through partner Pissei and the ADNOC-powered UAE Team Emirates-XRG Academy, a youth cycling development program for children aged 7-12 across 40 UAE schools, plus a UCI Continental development squad (Gen Z) launched in 2024.

The business model is sponsorship-driven, generating revenue from title sponsors (Emirates, XRG since 2024), main sponsors (FAB, Whoosh, G42, ADNOC), and a tier of equipment and technology suppliers, supplemented by merchandise sales through Pissei and prize money. Sponsor deals are not publicly disclosed, though a competitor's commentary estimates the team's annual operating budget at approximately €50M. The go-to-market motion is event-driven, leveraging Grand Tour and Classic victories to deliver global broadcast and social media exposure to enterprise sponsors seeking brand association with elite sporting success.

Name

UAE Team Emirates

Legal name

UAE Team Emirates

Website

https://uaeteamemirates.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UAE Team Emirates is a privately funded UCI WorldTour professional cycling team founded in 2017, headlined by five-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar, that serves corporate sponsors — including Emirates, XRG, FAB, G42, and ADNOC — with global brand exposure generated through Grand Tour victories and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Cycling Team / Sports Sponsorship Services

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories) (CRAMABAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bike Apparel, Helmets & Protective Gear Retail (CRAMAHAC)

Keywords

• Professional cycling team
• UCI WorldTour racing
• Road bicycle racing
• Cycling sponsorship services
• Grand Tour competitions

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dhabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship Revenue: Primary revenue stream from title sponsors (Emirates, XRG), main sponsors (FAB International, Whoosh, G42, Analog, Limada, Etisalat, IHC), official sponsors, and official suppliers. The team generates revenue by providing brand exposure through race participation, rider endorsements, and team branding across cycling's most prestigious events.
2. Merchandise and Apparel Sales: Official merchandise and equipment sales through partnership with Pissei and the team's online shop, offering official UAE Team Emirates apparel and equipment to fans and consumers.
3. Prize Money: Revenue from race victories and podium finishes. The team topped the prize money distribution list at Tour de France 2026, with individual riders earning prize money from stage wins and overall classifications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

UAE Team Emirates-XRG is a UCI WorldTour professional road cycling team that competes in Grand Tours, Monuments, and one-day Classics to deliver brand exposure and sponsorship value to corporate partners. The team sells official apparel and merchandise through partner Pissei and operates a youth cycling academy sponsored by ADNOC for children aged 7-12 in the UAE.

Product overview

UAE Team Emirates-XRG is a UCI WorldTour professional cycling team offering merchandise through an official online shop and community engagement via its ADNOC-powered youth academy program. The team's primary offering is its competitive cycling roster, with merchandise and community programs as supporting products. The team competes in Grand Tours and one-day classics, with notable riders including Tadej Pogačar and Isaac del Toro.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UAE Team Emirates-XRG Academy: Youth cycling development program powered by ADNOC for children aged 7-12 in UAE schools and communities
• UAE Team Emirates Gen Z

Products and services

• UAE Team Emirates-XRG Merchandise Shop Official online storefront selling the UAE Team Emirates collection of apparel, kits, and equipment through partner Pissei, targeting global cycling fans and consumers.
• UAE Team Emirates-XRG Academy (Powered by ADNOC) Youth cycling development academy for children aged 7-12 in the UAE, providing structured cycling lessons under qualified coaches during school hours and community sessions in Abu Dhabi.
• UAE Team Emirates Gen Z UCI Continental-level development team for emerging cyclists to develop future talent for the main WorldTour roster.
• UCI WorldTour Racing Services Competitive professional cycling services contesting Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d'Italia), Monuments, and one-day Classics on behalf of sponsoring brands, delivering global brand exposure and sports marketing value.

Quantifiable outcome

• Pogačar won 5 Tour de France titles (2020, 2021, 2024, 2025, 2026)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered secondary, primary, core, main and supporting.

• KuCoinsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Cryptocurrency exchange partnership with both Tadej Pogačar as Global Brand Ambassador and the UAE Team Emirates-XRG as a team sponsor. KuCoin serves over 45 million users worldwide and views the partnership as celebrating shared values of discipline, resilience, and long-term excellence.
• Insta360secondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 July 2025Content partnership to capture behind-the-scenes content from races and training, providing fans with immersive perspectives from inside the peloton. The partnership features Tadej Pogačar endorsing the cameras.
• EmiratesprimaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Title sponsor providing primary brand visibility. Emirates is the flag carrier airline of the United Arab Emirates and has been a long-standing partner of the team, providing significant financial backing and global brand association.
• XRGprimaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Co-title sponsor joining Emirates in 2024 as part of the team's expanded sponsorship structure. XRG is a technology/investment entity that co-brands with the team.
• G42coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Technology partner providing AI solutions including the Helmetverse platform for AI-designed helmets. G42 is an AI and cloud computing company based in the UAE that provides cutting-edge technology solutions to the team.
• FAB InternationalmainGTM or Marketing PartnerMain sponsor providing financial services partnership. FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank) is one of the UAE's largest banks supporting the team as a main sponsor.
• ColnagocoreTechnology or IntegrationBike manufacturer providing team bicycles. Colnago is an Italian premium bicycle manufacturer that supplies the team's race bikes.
• PisseicoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial apparel and equipment partner providing saddles and team kit. Pissei produces the team's official merchandise and high-performance equipment including 3D-printed saddles.
• MET HelmetsmainTechnology or IntegrationOfficial helmet partner collaborating with G42's Helmetverse platform to create AI-designed helmets for the team. MET produces the team's race helmets.
• ShimanomainTechnology or IntegrationOfficial components and drivetrain partner providing Shimano's professional cycling equipment including groupsets and components.
• WhooshmainGTM or Marketing PartnerCycling-specific sponsor providing hydration and nutrition products for the team. Whoosh is a cycling-focused brand sponsoring the team.
• fizikmainTechnology or IntegrationSaddle manufacturer providing the 3D-printed One-to-One personalized saddles using pressure-mapping technology for team riders.
• ADNECsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerADNOC sponsors the UAE Team Emirates-XRG Academy, a community initiative developing cycling sport in the UAE for children aged 7-12 years old, with 15,000 children participating across 40 schools.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cofidis: French financial-services-sponsored WorldTour team with similar sponsorship-driven business model and same WorldTour competitive calendar.
• Lidl-Trek: American-registered WorldTour team with multi-discipline scope and major title sponsorship; comparable scale and operates in same elite cycling sponsorship tier.
• EF Education-EasyPost: American WorldTour team with significantly smaller budget (cited at roughly half of UAE Team Emirates-XRG); serves as a directly referenced budget benchmark in the data.
• Soudal Quick-Step: Belgian WorldTour team historically dominant in Classics and one-day races; structurally similar sponsorship-driven model and competes in same UCI WorldTour calendar.
• Bahrain Victorious: Middle Eastern state-affiliated WorldTour team with similar geographic backing model (Bahrain rather than UAE) and Grand Tour ambitions; closest regional analogue.
• Movistar Team: Spanish telecommunications-sponsored WorldTour team and historic Grand Tour contender; structurally similar sponsorship-led pro cycling organization.
• INEOS Grenadiers: British-registered WorldTour team backed by INEOS with similar top-tier budget and Grand Tour focus; competes head-to-head with UAE Team Emirates-XRG in GC standings and Classics.
• Team Visma-Lease a Bike: Direct rival UCI WorldTour team with comparable budget, Grand Tour ambitions, and star-rider-led structure (e.g., Jonas Vingegaard). Closest competitive peer to UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
• BORA-hansgrohe: German WorldTour team with comparable sponsorship-driven structure and Grand Tour GC ambitions, regularly competing for podiums against UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
• Groupama-FDJ: French WorldTour team with comparable sponsorship architecture (insurance-led), competing in same WorldTour events as UAE Team Emirates-XRG.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TeamEmiratesUAE
• Facebookfacebook.com/UAETEAMEMIRATES
• Instagraminstagram.com/uae_team_emirates
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uae-team-emirates

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UAE Team Emirates