Arab Social Media Influencers Award 2026: Arab Social Media Influencers Award 2026 Winners Announced

Dubai has announced the winners of the sixth Arab Social Media Influencers Award, recognising Arab content creators, influencers and organisations for their work across social media.

The awards ceremony was held on 17 September 2026 on the final day of the Arab Media Summit 2026 in Dubai. Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honoured the winners at the ceremony.

The award, an initiative of the Dubai Press Club, focuses on digital content that demonstrates content quality, social impact and creativity.

Who Won the Arab Social Media Influencers Award 2026?

The final 2026 edition featured 11 categories. The winners announced by the Government of Dubai Media Office are:

  • Influential Personality of the Year: Abdulla Al Hamed

  • Community Service and Health: Dr. Anwar Al Hammadi

  • Podcast: Jamal Al Mulla

  • Arts and Entertainment: Ghaith Marwan

  • Culture: Nasser Al Aqeel

  • Best Children’s Platform: The Adventures of Mansour

  • Sports: Hemex

  • Best News Platform: Moniify Arabic

  • Entrepreneurship: Noon

  • Economy: Al Mokhbir Al Eqtisadi

  • Tourism: Rahalista

Abdulla Al Hamed Named Influential Personality of the Year

One of the headline honours went to Abdulla Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, who received the Influential Personality of the Year award.

According to the official announcement, the category recognises a leading figure who uses social media to create positive influence. The award's broader selection criteria are content, impact and creativity.

Award Recognises Different Forms of Digital Content

The 2026 awards covered a wide range of social media activity, from podcasts and entertainment to tourism, sports, business, culture and community initiatives.

The categories included:

  • Podcast

  • Arts and Entertainment

  • Sports

  • Entrepreneurship

  • Tourism

  • Economy

  • Culture

  • Best Children's Platform

  • Best News Platform

  • Influential Personality of the Year

  • Community Service and Health

This broad category structure reflects how social media has expanded beyond entertainment into areas such as education, business, community awareness and public engagement.

What Is the Arab Social Media Influencers Award?

The Arab Social Media Influencers Award was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and is an initiative of the Dubai Press Club.

The award aims to highlight Arab creators and organisations producing meaningful digital content and to encourage responsible and creative use of social media.

For the 2026 edition, the official criteria focused on three areas: content, impact and creativity. The award also recognises initiatives that make a tangible contribution to communities and use digital platforms in innovative ways.

Award Announced During Arab Media Summit 2026

The ceremony took place as part of the Arab Media Summit 2026, bringing the influencer awards together with one of the region's major media events.

The Dubai Press Club had opened submissions for the sixth edition earlier in 2026, inviting Arab content creators to participate through self-nomination or nominations by others. The initial announcement listed a broader set of categories before the final awards ceremony.

Importance of 2026 Influencer Awards

The latest edition highlights the increasingly diverse role of digital creators across the Arab region. The winning categories cover entertainment and lifestyle content as well as news, tourism, economics, entrepreneurship, sports, culture and community service.

For Dubai, the award also forms part of broader efforts by the Dubai Press Club and Dubai Media Council to support the region's digital media and content-creation ecosystem.

The Arab Social Media Influencers Award 2026 has recognised 11 winners across categories ranging from podcasting and entertainment to tourism, business, sports and community service.

The ceremony in Dubai marked the sixth edition of the award and brought together recognised Arab digital creators and organisations as part of the Arab Media Summit 2026. Government of Dubai Media Office and Dubai Press Club.