IGNITE Pink is Punk 2026: Breast Cancer Awareness Event in Dubai
IGNITE Pink is Punk 2026 will bring three breast cancer fundraisers to Palm Jumeirah this October: a Swim:Run on 3 October, Moonlit Yoga on 5 October and a Pink Paddle on 10 October. Tickets cost AED 105 to AED 157.50, registration is open, and the proceeds go to Al Jalila Foundation.
Every October, a few hundred people in pink tutus, pink swim caps and very pink face paint run out of the sea at Anantara The Palm, and it all counts towards breast cancer research. That is IGNITE Pink is Punk, and it returns on Saturday 3 October. Here is everything you need to book the right event: dates, ticket prices, distances, ages, race-day timings, and where your AED 157.50 actually goes.
The short answer
IGNITE Pink is Punk 2026 is a Dubai breast cancer fundraiser with three events on Palm Jumeirah: the Swim:Run on 3 October, Moonlit Yoga on 5 October and the Pink Paddle on 10 October. Tickets cost AED 105 to AED 157.50, registration is open at ignite.ae, and 100% of proceeds go to Al Jalila Foundation.
IGNITE Pink is Punk 2026
IGNITE Pink is Punk is an annual breast cancer awareness and fundraising campaign run by IGNITE, the Dubai water sports and fitness company, since 2008. It turns Breast Cancer Awareness Month into a set of fun, low-pressure fitness events where dressing up in pink is encouraged and finishing matters more than your time.
For 2026, the campaign will stick to the three-event format of the last few years: a Swim:Run, a Moonlit Yoga session and a Pink Paddle. All three will take place on Palm Jumeirah within eight days, and all proceeds will go to Al Jalila Foundation.
IGNITE Pink is Punk 2026 Dates and Venues
The three IGNITE Pink is Punk 2026 events will run across two Saturdays and a Monday at the start of October.
| Event | Date | Doors open | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pink is Punk Swim:Run | Saturday 3 October 2026 | 6am | Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, East Crescent, Palm Jumeirah |
| Pink is Punk Moonlit Yoga | Monday 5 October 2026 | 7pm | RIVA Beach Dubai, Building 8, The Shoreline, Palm Jumeirah |
| Pink is Punk Pink Paddle | Saturday 10 October 2026 | 6am | RIVA Beach Dubai, Building 8, The Shoreline, Palm Jumeirah |
Seen 11, 13 and 18 October online?
Those were the 2025 dates. Some event pages and calendars still show them. The confirmed 2026 dates are 3, 5 and 10 October.
IGNITE Pink is Punk Tickets and Prices
IGNITE Pink is Punk tickets for 2026 cost between AED 105 and AED 157.50 per person, and all prices include VAT.
| Event | Ticket | Price | Ages | Get tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swim:Run | Adult (Open) | AED 157.50 | 16 to 70 | Book Swim:Run |
| Swim:Run | Junior | AED 157.50 | 7 to 15 | Book Swim:Run |
| Swim:Run | Team of two | AED 315 | 16 to 70 | Book Swim:Run |
| Swim:Run | Fun Run (3km, no swim) | Check listing | 6 to 70 | Book Swim:Run |
| Moonlit Yoga | General entry | AED 105 | 16 and over | Book Moonlit Yoga |
| Pink Paddle | Paddler, own board or rental | AED 157.50 | Girls from 8, boys from 10 in past editions | Book Pink Paddle |
The Fun Run price and the board rental fee for the Pink Paddle were not published separately at the time of writing. They will show on the Premier Online checkout page when you choose your category.
Can You Support IGNITE Pink is Punk Without Taking Part?
Yes. Not everyone wants to swim at 7am, and you do not have to.
- Come as a supporter: in 2025, supporters could join free, with an optional AED 157.50 merchandise pack. IGNITE had not confirmed the 2026 supporter option at the time of writing, so check its page before you go
- Cheer from the beach: the Swim:Run finish on Anantara's beach is the best spot, especially for the junior starts after 8am
- Pay for a friend's entry: if you will not race, cover someone who will, as the entry fee goes to the cause
Which IGNITE Pink is Punk Event Should You Book?
The honest answer depends on two things: can you swim in the sea, and can you do a Saturday at 6am. Here is how the three events compare.
| Question | Swim:Run | Moonlit Yoga | Pink Paddle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do you need to swim? | Yes, except Fun Run | No | Only if you fall in |
| Is it timed? | Yes, with podium medals | No | No, it is a fun paddle |
| Fitness needed | Medium | Low | Low to medium |
| Kids allowed? | Yes, from 6 | No, 16 and over | Yes, from 8 or 10 |
| Time of day | Early morning | Evening | Early morning |
| Price | AED 157.50 | AED 105 | AED 157.50 |
| Best for | Swimmers, runners, families | Beginners, non-swimmers | First-time paddlers |
IGNITE Pink is Punk Swim:Run 2026
The IGNITE Pink is Punk Swim:Run is the original and biggest event in the campaign. It will take place on Saturday 3 October 2026 at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, with doors opening at 6am.
The format is simple: you swim a loop in the sea off Anantara's beach, come out, and run on the sand and pavement to the finish. The Open course is a 600m swim followed by a 3km run, and there is a shorter course for juniors.
IGNITE Pink is Punk Swim:Run Categories
| Category | Ages | Swim | Run | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open individual | 16 to 70 | 600m | 3km | AED 157.50 |
| Open team (pairs, mixed allowed) | 16 to 70 | 600m | 3km | AED 315 per team |
| Junior B | 12 to 15 | 200m | 800m | AED 157.50 |
| Junior A | 7 to 11 | 100m | 800m | AED 157.50 |
| Fun Run | 6 to 70 | None | 3km | Check listing |
IGNITE Pink is Punk Swim:Run Race-Day Schedule
IGNITE had not published the minute-by-minute 2026 schedule at the time of writing. Here is how race morning ran at the most recent edition with a published schedule, so you know roughly what to expect.
- 6:00amDoors openRace pack collection for Open racers
- 7:00amPack collection, second waveFun Run, Junior A and Junior B
- 7:10amBriefing and Open startIndividual and team racers go first
- 7:40amFun Run start3km on the beach and pavement
- 8:00amJunior B startAges 12 to 15
- 8:15amJunior A start and schools programmeAges 7 to 11
- 9:00amPresentationsPodium medals, spot prizes and best dressed
Arrive by 6:30am if you are racing Open
The Open start comes just over an hour after doors open, and you still need to collect your pack, find your spot and listen to the briefing. Free parking has been available at Anantara The Palm on race morning in previous years.
What's Included in the Pink is Punk Swim:Run Registration
Recent Swim:Run entries have included:
- IGNITE Pink is Punk singlet
- Goody bag
- Race photos, on the day or as a download
- Refreshments after the finish
- Medals for podium finishers and for all juniors
- Spot prizes, including a prize for the best-dressed participant
Can Schools Take Part in the Pink is Punk Swim:Run?
Yes. The Swim:Run has included a schools programme timed with the Junior A start. If you are organising a school group, contact IGNITE on 800 IGNITE (446483) or info@ignitewatersports.com before you book, and ask how school entries will work this year.
IGNITE Pink is Punk Moonlit Yoga 2026
IGNITE Pink is Punk Moonlit Yoga will take place on Monday 5 October 2026 at RIVA Beach Dubai, with doors opening at 7pm. At AED 105, it is the cheapest way to take part.
- What it is: a gentle, candlelit yoga flow on the beach, with breathing and meditation
- Level: all levels, including complete beginners
- Ages: 16 and over
- Included in past editions: yoga mats, towels and refreshments
- Setting: on the sand, with views of the sea and the Dubai skyline
Why Moonlit Yoga is the easiest yes
It is the only IGNITE Pink is Punk event that does not need an early Saturday alarm, a swim or any kit. If you want to support the cause with a friend who does not do "sporty", this is the one.
IGNITE Pink is Punk Pink Paddle 2026
The IGNITE Pink is Punk Pink Paddle will take place on Saturday 10 October 2026 at RIVA Beach Dubai, with doors opening at 6am. Tickets cost AED 157.50.
It is a stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) fun paddle, not a race. In recent years, it has been a single lap of about 1.5km in the sheltered water off the beach, which IGNITE describes as perfect for beginners.
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 1.5km, one lap, turning buoys on your right |
| Start | In waves, about 45 minutes apart, from around 7am |
| Board | Bring your own or rent one from IGNITE Water Sports for an extra fee |
| Ages | Girls from 8, boys from 10 |
| Facilities | Board drop-off, changing rooms, toilets and showers |
| Included | Refreshments and spot prizes |
| Parking | Free parking has been available in the RIVA basement |
- Never paddled before? Rent a board, pick a later wave and take it slowly. Kneeling on the board is fine
- Paddlers start in waves, so the water never gets crowded
How to Register for IGNITE Pink is Punk 2026
Registration for all three IGNITE Pink is Punk events is open now. Tickets are sold online through Premier Online, the UAE race-entry platform IGNITE uses every year.
- Go to IGNITE's Pink is Punk page and choose Swim:Run, Moonlit Yoga or Pink Paddle
- Follow the link to the event's registration page on Premier Online
- Pick your category: Open, team, junior or fun run for the Swim:Run, or own board or rental for the Pink Paddle
- Fill in each participant's details. For juniors, a parent or guardian registers them
- Pay by card. The price includes VAT
- Keep your confirmation email, as it has your entry details for race-pack collection
Do not leave it to the last day
In previous years, online registration, cancellations and category changes all closed the day before each event, and the 2024 Swim:Run sold out. There is no guarantee of on-the-day entry.
Where Does the IGNITE Pink is Punk Money Go?
All money raised by IGNITE Pink is Punk 2026 will go to Al Jalila Foundation, the Dubai medical charity that funds breast cancer research and helps patients pay for treatment and care. IGNITE says it donates 100% of the proceeds.
How Much Has Pink is Punk Raised?
IGNITE Pink is Punk has raised more than AED 950,000 since 2008. It passed AED 860,000 by the 2024 edition, so 2026 could be the year the running total finally passes AED 1 million.
Who Has Pink is Punk Supported Over the Years?
| Years | Beneficiary |
|---|---|
| Around 2014 to 2015 | Safe and Sound breast cancer awareness programme |
| 2018 to 2024 | Brest Friends, the UAE's first breast cancer support group, with Al Jalila Foundation |
| 2025 to 2026 | Al Jalila Foundation, for breast cancer research and patient care |
What to Wear and Bring to IGNITE Pink is Punk
Pink is the dress code, and "Punk" is the attitude. Tutus, wigs, pink capes and painted faces are all part of the fun, and there is usually a prize for the best-dressed participant.
Bring
- Something pink to wear, the louder the better
- Goggles and a swimsuit you can run in, for the Swim:Run
- Running shoes left at the swim exit, if you do not want to run barefoot
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a water bottle
- A towel and a change of clothes for after
- Your confirmation email or QR code
Avoid
- Costumes that drag in the water or catch on a paddleboard
- A wetsuit, as the sea is around 30°C in early October
- Arriving after doors open if you still need to collect your pack
- Leaving valuables unattended on the beach
- Glass bottles on the sand
Getting to the IGNITE Pink is Punk 2026 Venues
Both venues are on Palm Jumeirah, but they are not next door to each other. Make sure you head to the right one.
| Venue | Events | Address | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort | Swim:Run | East Crescent, Palm Jumeirah | Free for participants in previous years |
| RIVA Beach Dubai | Moonlit Yoga, Pink Paddle | Building 8, The Shoreline, Palm Jumeirah | Free in the RIVA basement in previous years |
- By public transport: there is no Metro stop on the Palm. The Palm Monorail runs along the trunk, near The Shoreline, which works for Moonlit Yoga in the evening. For the 6am starts, especially at Anantara on the East Crescent, a taxi or your own car is far easier
- By taxi: ask for "Anantara The Palm" or "RIVA Beach, Shoreline Building 8"
A Short History of Pink is Punk Dubai
IGNITE Pink is Punk began in 2008. Its founder, Guillaume Mariole, has said he started it after learning that "every 30 seconds a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer", and wanted a healthy, active way for the community to help.
- 2008Pink is Punk beginsIGNITE launches its breast cancer awareness campaign
- 2014Swim:Run grows fastMore than 450 participants the year before, and AED 120,000 raised so far
- 2018Brest Friends partnershipProceeds go to Brest Friends with Al Jalila Foundation, and 5% VAT arrives in the UAE
- 2022Moonlit Yoga on the beachCandlelit yoga is part of the line-up alongside the Swim:Run
- 2024Swim:Run sells outEvery category is listed as sold out, and the running total passes AED 860,000
- 2026Three events on Palm JumeirahTotal raised passes AED 950,000
Over the years, the line-up has also included Pink HIIT, Pink Yoga and Sunset Yoga sessions, but the Swim:Run has been the constant.
FAQs
What is IGNITE Pink is Punk?
IGNITE Pink is Punk is an annual breast cancer awareness and fundraising campaign in Dubai, run by IGNITE since 2008. In 2026, it includes a Swim:Run, Moonlit Yoga and a Pink Paddle on Palm Jumeirah, with proceeds going to Al Jalila Foundation.
When is IGNITE Pink is Punk 2026?
IGNITE Pink is Punk 2026 will take place on 3, 5 and 10 October 2026. The Swim:Run is on Saturday 3 October, Moonlit Yoga on Monday 5 October and the Pink Paddle on Saturday 10 October.
How much are IGNITE Pink is Punk tickets?
IGNITE Pink is Punk tickets cost AED 157.50 for the Swim:Run, AED 105 for Moonlit Yoga and AED 157.50 for the Pink Paddle. A Swim:Run team of two costs AED 315, and all prices include VAT.
Where is the IGNITE Pink is Punk Swim:Run?
The IGNITE Pink is Punk Swim:Run will take place at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort on the East Crescent of Palm Jumeirah. Doors will open at 6am on Saturday 3 October 2026.
What are the IGNITE Pink is Punk Swim:Run distances?
The IGNITE Pink is Punk Swim:Run Open course is a 600m sea swim followed by a 3km beach and pavement run. Juniors swim 100m or 200m and run 800m, and the Fun Run is a 3km run with no swim.
Can children take part in IGNITE Pink is Punk?
Yes, children can take part in IGNITE Pink is Punk. The Swim:Run has junior categories for ages 7 to 15 and a Fun Run from age 6, and the Pink Paddle has been open to girls from 8 and boys from 10. Moonlit Yoga is for ages 16 and over.
Can I take part in Pink is Punk if I can't swim?
Yes, you can take part in Pink is Punk without swimming. Choose the Swim:Run Fun Run, which is a 3km run, or Moonlit Yoga on the beach. The Pink Paddle is on a board, but you should be comfortable in the water in case you fall in.
How do I register for IGNITE Pink is Punk 2026?
You can register for IGNITE Pink is Punk 2026 online through IGNITE's Pink is Punk page, which links to each event's registration on Premier Online. Choose your event and category, add participant details and pay by card.
Where does the IGNITE Pink is Punk money go?
IGNITE Pink is Punk money goes to Al Jalila Foundation, which funds breast cancer research and supports patients with treatment and care. IGNITE says it donates 100% of the proceeds.
How much has IGNITE Pink is Punk raised?
IGNITE Pink is Punk has raised more than AED 950,000 since it began in 2008. The total was over AED 120,000 in 2014 and over AED 860,000 by 2024.
Is there a team option at the Pink is Punk Swim:Run?
Yes, the Pink is Punk Swim:Run has a team category for pairs, including mixed teams, over the Open distance. A team entry costs AED 315, the same as two individual entries.
Do I need my own paddleboard for the Pink Paddle?
No, you do not need your own paddleboard for the Pink Paddle. You can rent one from IGNITE Water Sports for an extra fee when you register, or bring your own board.
What should I wear to IGNITE Pink is Punk?
Wear pink to IGNITE Pink is Punk. Costumes, tutus and wigs are encouraged, and there is usually a best-dressed prize. For the Swim:Run, wear a swimsuit you can run in, as you go straight from the sea to the run.
Can schools take part in the Pink is Punk Swim:Run?
Yes, schools can take part in the Pink is Punk Swim:Run, which has included a schools programme timed with the Junior A start. Schools should contact IGNITE on 800 IGNITE (446483) to ask how school entries will work in 2026.
Can I support Pink is Punk without taking part?
Yes, you can support Pink is Punk without taking part. In 2025, supporters could come along free, with an optional AED 157.50 merchandise pack, and you can always cheer from the beach. Check IGNITE's page for the 2026 supporter option.
Sources and methodlast checked 29 September 2026
2026 dates, doors-open times, venues and ticket prices come from What's On UAE (September 2026) and IGNITE's Pink is Punk campaign page and Premier Online event listings. Swim:Run categories, the race-day schedule, inclusions and parking come from IGNITE's 2024 Premier Online listing, and Pink Paddle and Moonlit Yoga details from IGNITE's 2023 and 2022 listings. 2025 dates and the supporter details come from IGNITE listings reported by WowDeals. Fundraising totals come from Sport360 (2014), IGNITE's 2024 press release on Zawya and What's On (2026). History and the founder's quote come from Sport360 and Khaleej Times, and Brest Friends details from Al Jalila Foundation. Earlier prices come from Sport360 and British Mums. VAT splits, price comparisons and distance conversions are our own calculations. Last checked 29 September 2026.
