Art fair conglomerate Frieze has announced plans to launch a new edition in Abu Dhabi in November 2026, taking over the emirate’s existing art fair, Abu Dhabi Art. The initiative is part of a partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) and will be Frieze’s first fair in the Middle East.
“Abu Dhabi’s cultural leadership, underpinned by its world-class museums, institutions, and commitment to the arts, provides the foundation for this collaboration,” said Frieze CEO Simon Fox. “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.”
An established pillar in the international art fair calendar, Abu Dhabi Art was launched 17 years ago, and the move comes as the city’s art ecosystem continues to expand. The Zayed National Museum is slated to open in December 2025, and the much-anticipated Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is under construction.
Frieze confirmed that the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Art will take place as planned next month, while the new fair’s edition next year will bring “a distinctive Frieze approach.” Details include showcases of “new artistic practices” and “providing a stage for the region to connect with the wider art world,” it noted.
“[The launch of Frieze Abu Dhabi] 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,” said H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism. “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.”
The timing of the announcement coincides with the finalization of Frieze’s acquisition by Hollywood executive Ari Emanuel, which was first announced in May. Emanuel, through his new holding company Mari, recently finalized a deal to buy Frieze (along with other live events assets) from Endeavor. Mari has secured around $2 billion in equity funding, including investment from Abu Dhabi’s IMI media group, according to The Art Newspaper. Under Emanuel’s leadership, Endeavor had long ties to the Emirate, including collaborations with Mubadala, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund.
Currently, Frieze operates two fairs in London (opening next week), as well as events in Seoul, New York, Los Angeles, and The Armory Show, and EXPO Chicago. Frieze’s entrance into the region also coincides with its main competitor, Art Basel, launching a fair in Doha, Qatar, which is set to take place next February.
