Frieze Art Fair Will Make Its MENA Debut in Abu Dhabi in 2026
The Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, which will oversee the rebranding of the long-running Abu Dhabi Art into Frieze’s flagship Middle East edition.
Global contemporary art organisation Frieze has announced its expansion into the Gulf region with the launch of Frieze Abu Dhabi, scheduled for November 2026. The move comes through a partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, which will oversee the rebranding of the long-running Abu Dhabi Art into Frieze’s flagship Middle East edition.
This marks Frieze’s first venture into the Middle East and its eighth international edition. To date, Frieze operates two events in London, alongside editions in New York, Los Angeles, Seoul, The Armory Show in New York, and Expo Chicago.
Abu Dhabi Art first launched in 2007 and has become a central fixture on the region’s art calendar. With Frieze’s global reputation and institutional networks, the rebranding is expected to boost the UAE’s profile on the international art scene and attract broader participation from curators, galleries, collectors, and cultural institutions.
