The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Frieze have announced a new partnership that will see Abu Dhabi Art evolve into Frieze Abu Dhabi in 2026. The move signals a pivotal moment for both the emirate and the fair giant—one that repositions Abu Dhabi as a central player on the international stage while extending Frieze’s reach into the Gulf’s most mature cultural ecosystem.
For seventeen years, Abu Dhabi Art has been a key fixture in the region’s cultural life—a platform where regional identity met global engagement. Rooted in the emirate’s world-class institutions, including Louvre Abu Dhabi and the forthcoming Guggenheim, the fair has cultivated an ecosystem that nurtures artists at every stage of their careers. Its annual editions at Manarat Al Saadiyat became a mirror of Abu Dhabi’s evolving cultural vision: a space for serious collectors, museum leaders, and curators to exchange ideas while discovering new talent from the region and beyond.
The transition to Frieze Abu Dhabi is more than a rebrand; it is a strategic fusion of local depth and international visibility. By leveraging Frieze’s established global networks across London, New York, Los Angeles, and Seoul, the fair seeks to amplify the emirate’s ambitions as a cultural hub. In turn, Abu Dhabi offers Frieze something no other city can: a setting where art, architecture, and civic vision intersect in a region still defining its contemporary identity.
H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, described the development as a “natural evolution” of the fair’s legacy. “For nearly two decades, Abu Dhabi Art has reflected our vision of culture as a driver of dialogue, connection, and creativity,” he said. “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.”
For Frieze, the collaboration marks the first major initiative under its new ownership and signals a bold move into a market that has matured significantly in recent years. Simon Fox, CEO of Frieze, emphasised the synergy between both institutions: “Abu Dhabi’s cultural leadership, underpinned by its world-class museums and commitment to the arts, provides the foundation for this collaboration. Combined with the reach of Frieze’s global platform, we can amplify the emirate’s achievements while opening new possibilities for discovery and exchange.”
The inaugural Frieze Abu Dhabi will take place in November 2026 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, maintaining the fair’s established home while introducing a distinctly Frieze sensibility—artist-led projects, curated sections, and a sharper focus on emerging voices. It will bring together leading galleries from the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond, with a programme designed to highlight the region’s position within the broader art conversation.
Deutsche Bank, Frieze’s global lead partner, will extend its long-standing collaboration to Abu Dhabi, underscoring continuity across Frieze’s international portfolio. Meanwhile, the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Art will proceed under its current format, offering participating galleries and audiences a final edition before the transformation begins.
This partnership is as much about continuity as it is about reinvention. The fair will remain anchored in its founding principles—discovery, dialogue, and the cultivation of artistic exchange—while expanding its international scope. In a region often seen through the lens of spectacle, Frieze Abu Dhabi promises something else: a fair grounded in substance, shaped by the belief that art can define not just a market, but a moment.