Frieze Announces Abu Dhabi Fair

The art world was stunned by the news of a new art fair in the MENA region when Art Basel announced its Doha fair back in May, but now there’s been another huge announcement. Frieze fairs have just announced that their next outpost will be in Abu Dhabi in partnership with The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). Even more surprisingly, Frieze will take over Abu Dhabi Art, a fair that has taken place in the UAE for 17 years.

دائرة الثقافة والسياحة - أبوظبي©️

Abu Dhabi’s debut Frieze fair is set to take place in November 2026, cementing the UAE’s status as a global art world hub. In addition to Frieze, the UAE also hosts Art Dubai in April, as well as the Sharjah Biennial, another major contemporary art event, which takes place every other year. The move from Abu Dhabi Art to Frieze is intended to extend the fair’s reach in international networks. This announcement comes after Frieze’s takeover by Ari Emanuel’s newly formed company MARI, which has just been finalised.

“For nearly two decades, Abu Dhabi Art has reflected our vision of culture as a driver of dialogue, connection, and creativity, supported by a vibrant ecosystem of museums, residencies, and institutions that nurture both established and emerging artists”, says H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, “The launch of Frieze Abu Dhabi is a natural evolution of that journey. It is rooted in the achievements of Abu Dhabi Art and will carry them onto the global stage, reinforcing the emirate's position as a cultural capital while offering Frieze a unique gateway to the region. Together, we are creating a fair that is not only international in reach but also deeply connected to the values and strengths of Abu Dhabi.”

دائرة الثقافة والسياحة - أبوظبي©️

While we have no idea how the transformation from Abu Dhabi Art to Frieze will take place, it will be interesting to see how MENA galleries are presented alongside their international counterparts. “We are honoured to work alongside DCT Abu Dhabi on the launch of Frieze Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi's cultural leadership, underpinned by its world-class museums, institutions, and commitment to the arts, provides the foundation for this collaboration”, says Simon Fox, CEO of Frieze, “Combined with the reach of Frieze's global platform, we can amplify the emirate's achievements while opening new possibilities for discovery, championing artistic practices from the region, and shaping the fair as a space for conversation and exchange.”

The inaugural edition of Frieze Abu Dhabi will take place in November 2026 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, with the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi art remaining unaffected by the news. In partnership with Frieze, DCT Abu Dhabi hopes to highlight Abu Dhabi’s cultural strengths while cementing the fair’s place on the international calendar. In its new guise as Frieze Abu Dhabi, the UAE-based fair will introduce the Frieze approach to the region, highlighting artist-led practices, showcasing new artistic projects, and providing a stage for the MENA region to connect with the global art world.