Beginning in 2026, Abu Dhabi Art will transform under the Frieze brand. The London-based art fair giant has chosen Abu Dhabi as its next destination amid intensifying cultural competition across the Gulf region.
Frieze, one of the world’s leading contemporary art fairs, announced that it will launch a new edition in Abu Dhabi in November 2026. In partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the long-running fair Abu Dhabi Art—established in 2007 as the region’s foremost contemporary art event—will continue under a new name: Frieze Abu Dhabi.
The fair will be held at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the Saadiyat Cultural District. This transformation goes far beyond a simple rebranding: by merging Frieze’s global expertise with Abu Dhabi Art’s local foundations, the event aims to position itself at the center of the international art scene.
DCT Abu Dhabi chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak described the move as “a natural evolution”:
“For nearly two decades, Abu Dhabi Art has positioned culture as a force for dialogue, connection, and creativity. Frieze Abu Dhabi marks a new phase in that journey. As we bring our city’s cultural capital to the global stage, we also provide Frieze with a unique gateway into the region.”
Frieze CEO Simon Fox echoed this sentiment:
“Abu Dhabi’s commitment to art and its cultural infrastructure form the foundation of this partnership. Combined with Frieze’s global reach, it will allow regional art practices to gain international visibility and foster new forms of dialogue.”
This collaboration follows Frieze’s recent strategic expansions—including its 2023 acquisitions of The Armory Showand Expo Chicago, as well as the launch of Frieze Seoul—and marks the first major initiative under its new ownership by Ari Emanuel’s media and culture company, Mari.
Gulf Art Market Heats Up
Frieze’s move into Abu Dhabi intensifies the cultural rivalry across the Gulf. In February 2026, Art Basel will debut a new fair in Doha, placing two global art powerhouses side by side in the region.
In recent years, Abu Dhabi has emerged not only as a museum hub but also as a growing financial center for the art market. In 2024, the UAE’s sovereign wealth fund ADQ invested $1 billion in Sotheby’s, which will debut its new luxury sales series, Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week, this December.
The city’s cultural landscape continues to expand through institutions such as Louvre Abu Dhabi (opened 2017), NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery (founded 2014), and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, set to open in 2026. This infrastructure positions Frieze’s arrival not merely as a commercial venture, but as a step toward deeper cultural integration.
With fairs now spanning London, New York, Los Angeles, Seoul, Chicago, and soon Abu Dhabi, Frieze’s global network reflects the rise of new cultural centers in the global art circulation. As Abu Dhabi Art transitions to Frieze Abu Dhabi in 2026, the emirate prepares to assert its place at the heart of the international art world.
