Dubai Residential, the owner and operator of one of Dubai’s largest and most diverse residential leasing portfolios, has announced a billion-step community challenge, inviting more than 146,000 residents across 21 residential communities to take part in the tenth edition of the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2026.
Organized in collaboration with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Sports Council, the initiative encourages residents to make physical activity part of their daily routines while working together toward a shared goal of recording one billion steps.
Billion-Step Challenge Brings Together Residents Across 21 Dubai Communities
The challenge will run from October 31 to November 29, 2026, with residents of Dubai Residential communities able to participate through fitze, a UAE-based fitness rewards app.
Participants can track their daily steps using the app, with each person’s steps added to the overall challenge total until the collective target of one billion steps is reached.
The initiative gives residents an opportunity to contribute to a shared fitness goal through their daily activities, encouraging regular movement and greater participation across the communities.
Sports Events and Family Activities Add to the Challenge
Throughout the month, Dubai Residential will organize fitness events and community activities at several of its residential developments, including Layan, Shorooq, Ghoroob and The Gardens.
The program will feature yoga sessions, Zumba classes and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), alongside sports challenges and activities designed for families.
The events will give residents opportunities to stay active, take part in group exercise and enjoy fitness experiences within their own residential communities.
More Than AED 30,000 in Prizes and AED 1 Million in Rewards
Dubai Residential will offer Dubai Retail gift cards worth more than AED 30,000 in total, rewarding residents who record the highest activity levels during the challenge.
The top three participants in the overall rankings will receive gift cards worth AED 5,000, AED 3,000 and AED 2,000, respectively. An additional AED 1,000 gift card will be awarded to the most active resident in each of the 21 participating communities.
Residents will also have the opportunity to win prizes from a reward pool valued at AED 1 million through the fitze app during Dubai Fitness Challenge.
The rewards include international trips, hotel stays, dining experiences, shopping vouchers and other prizes.
talabat and Careem Offer Exclusive Benefits
Several partners are supporting the billion-step challenge by providing rewards, fitness experiences and community activities throughout the month.
talabat joins the campaign as a strategic partner and the exclusive hydration partner for the community fitness events. Residents and their families attending these events will also receive complimentary talabat Pro subscriptions.
Careem, the multi-service app, is participating as a rewards partner, offering Careem Plus subscriptions to the challenge’s highest-ranking participants.
The top five participants will each receive a 12-month Careem Plus subscription, while those finishing in sixth through tenth place will receive six-month subscriptions.
The membership benefits include free delivery on food and grocery orders, along with exclusive offers available to Careem Plus members.
Fitness Experiences with Specialist Partners
The community events will also feature a range of activities delivered by participating partners.
Fruitful Day will provide interactive cycling experiences, while Zamania will organize family activities. MetroFitt will lead high-intensity interval training sessions, and Power Boxing will offer boxing sessions.
Yoga sessions supported by Dubai Sports Council will also form part of the program, giving residents a variety of fitness activities to enjoy during the challenge.
Dubai Residential Promotes Resident Wellbeing and Healthy Living
Ahmed Al Suwaidi, General Manager of Dubai Residential, highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting resident wellbeing and developing vibrant residential communities.
He said: “Dubai Residential has long been part of the emirate’s urban fabric, keeping pace with the city’s growth and the diversity of its communities. Resident wellbeing is at the heart of our approach to building vibrant residential communities, and the Billion-Step Challenge reflects this commitment on a large scale. By encouraging residents to increase movement and activity in their daily lives, we aim to promote healthier and more active lifestyles, with their collective participation contributing to our goal of recording one billion steps while also supporting Dubai’s ambition to become one of the most active cities in the world.”
Dubai Continues to Promote an Active Lifestyle
Yaqoub Al Zarooni, Senior Manager of Dubai Fitness Challenge, welcomed Dubai Residential’s participation in the tenth edition of the initiative, highlighting the importance of community involvement in encouraging active lifestyles.
He said: “The tenth edition of Dubai Fitness Challenge marks an important milestone in the initiative’s journey, as it continues to expand participation across the city year after year. We are delighted to welcome Dubai Residential and its residential communities to this year’s challenge. Bringing residents from 21 communities together around a shared goal of recording one billion steps demonstrates the power of collective participation and the important role communities play in encouraging their members to adopt a more active lifestyle.”
