Frieze Abu Dhabi launches in November 2026 under a new partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism, positioning the Gulf as a global art powerhouse.
A Landmark Move in Global Art Expansion
Abu Dhabi is set to make history in the global art world as Frieze, one of the most prestigious international art fair organizers, announced the launch of the Frieze Abu Dhabi Art Fair in November 2026. This major development marks the rebranding and elevation of the existing Abu Dhabi Art fair under the globally recognized Frieze umbrella, signaling a new cultural era for the Gulf region.
Strategic Partnership Driving Cultural Growth
The partnership between Frieze and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) underscores the emirate’s strategic ambition to establish itself as a premier global cultural hub. The move follows closely after Art Basel revealed its plans for a Qatar edition in early 2026, igniting healthy competition between two major forces shaping the Middle East’s rapidly growing art market.
Frieze CEO Simon Fox emphasized that Abu Dhabi’s exceptional cultural assets — including world-class museums, galleries, and government-backed institutions — make it an ideal location for such an expansion. The Frieze Abu Dhabi Art Fair will be hosted at Manarat Al Saadiyat, located within the acclaimed Saadiyat Cultural District, home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
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Backed by New Ownership and Strong Regional Investment
This announcement marks the first major project under Frieze’s new ownership, led by entertainment mogul Ari Emanuel and his company Mari, which recently secured a $2 billion equity investment. Notably, the investment includes significant contributions from Abu Dhabi-based firms such as IMI Media Group, reflecting growing financial and cultural ties between the Gulf and the global art industry.
These developments also build on existing partnerships with major entities like Mubadala, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, as the emirate deepens its footprint in creative and entertainment ventures worldwide.
Saadiyat Cultural District Nears Completion
The Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi’s flagship cultural hub, is nearing full completion and is expected to become one of the most concentrated cultural quarters globally by late 2025. The Zayed National Museum is scheduled to open in December 2025, followed by the grand opening of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in early 2026 — fulfilling a vision that has been years in the making.
The district also includes other landmark projects such as the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and the Abrahamic Family House, further strengthening the emirate’s global standing as a center of art, culture, and interfaith dialogue.
Meanwhile, the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Art, scheduled for November 19–23, will feature over 140 international exhibitors, making it the largest to date and setting the stage for the transition to Frieze Abu Dhabi Art Fair in 2026. Deutsche Bank will continue as a global sponsor, ensuring seamless integration into the worldwide Frieze network.
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Gulf Rivalry and Collaboration in the Arts
The upcoming launch of the Frieze Abu Dhabi Art Fair signals an intensification of the Gulf’s cultural rivalry, particularly between Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Both nations are investing heavily in museums, galleries, and creative infrastructure to attract global collectors, artists, and cultural tourists.
With Art Basel’s Qatar edition and Frieze Abu Dhabi’s 2026 debut, the Gulf region is emerging as a powerful cultural nexus where competition fuels innovation, collaboration, and artistic excellence.
Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Vision for the Future
As Abu Dhabi moves closer to the full realization of its Saadiyat Cultural District and prepares for the Frieze Abu Dhabi Art Fair, the emirate is clearly signaling its ambitions — not just to lead the Middle East in arts and culture but to cement its position as a global cultural capital.
The 2026 fair promises to bring together the world’s most celebrated galleries, curators, and artists, ushering in a transformative chapter for the Gulf’s creative economy and solidifying Abu Dhabi’s role as a crossroads of art, heritage, and innovation.
Frieze: Key Highlights
- Frieze Abu Dhabi Art Fair to debut in November 2026.
- Partnership between Frieze and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism.
- Hosted at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Saadiyat Cultural District.
- Supported by $2 billion investment under new ownership.
- Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum to open ahead of the fair.
- Marks a new phase of Gulf cultural competition with Qatar’s Art Basel debut.