International art fair powerhouse Frieze has announced its first Middle East edition, set to debut in Abu Dhabi in November 2026. The new fair will replace the long-standing Abu Dhabi Art, marking a strategic collaboration between Frieze and the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT).
“Abu Dhabi’s cultural leadership, underpinned by its world-class museums, institutions, and commitment to the arts, provides the foundation for this collaboration,” said 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.”
Building on Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Momentum
The move follows Abu Dhabi’s steady rise as a global cultural hub. Abu Dhabi Art, launched 17 years ago, has become a key fixture in the international art calendar. Its transformation into a Frieze fair comes as the city readies several landmark openings — including the Zayed National Museum in December 2025 and the much-anticipated Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, now under construction.
Frieze confirmed that the final edition of Abu Dhabi Art will proceed as planned next month, with the inaugural Frieze Abu Dhabi fair debuting a year later. According to Frieze, the new event will introduce “a distinctive Frieze approach,” spotlighting emerging artistic practices and creating a platform for regional and global dialogue.
“[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 DCT Abu Dhabi.
A Strategic Expansion Amid Industry Shifts
Frieze’s regional debut arrives at a pivotal time for both the brand and the global art fair landscape. The announcement coincides with the finalisation of Frieze’s acquisition by Hollywood executive Ari Emanuel, whose holding company Mari recently purchased the fair (along with other live events assets) from Endeavor. The deal, reportedly valued at around $2 billion in equity funding, includes investment from Abu Dhabi’s IMI media group, underscoring the Emirate’s growing influence in the global creative economy.
Under Emanuel’s leadership, Endeavor had established strong partnerships in Abu Dhabi, including collaborations with the sovereign wealth fund Mubadala. Currently, Frieze operates fairs in London, New York, Los Angeles, Seoul, Chicago, and The Armory Show, and its expansion to Abu Dhabi coincides with rival Art Basel’s upcoming launch in Doha, Qatar, scheduled for February 2026.
By bridging the region’s artistic heritage with Frieze’s international reach, the new Frieze Abu Dhabi is set to position the emirate as a cultural crossroads—uniting global collectors, curators, and artists in one of the most dynamic art markets in the world.