Global art fair giant Frieze announced plans Friday to launch its eighth international fair in Abu Dhabi in November 2026, partnering with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in a move that will transform the emirate’s established Abu Dhabi Art fair into Frieze Abu Dhabi.
The transition marks a significant evolution for Abu Dhabi Art, which has served as the region’s premier homegrown fair since its founding in 2007. The fair will continue under its current branding for its 2025 edition before relaunching as Frieze Abu Dhabi the following year at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the Saadiyat Cultural District.
“For nearly two decades, Abu Dhabi Art has reflected our vision of culture as a driver of dialogue, connection, and creativity,” said DCT Abu Dhabi chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak. He described the Frieze partnership as “a natural evolution” that will elevate the fair’s global presence while maintaining its regional roots.
The announcement comes just days after Frieze’s acquisition by Mari, a newly formed company founded by Ari Emanuel with $2 billion in equity backing from investors including Apollo, RedBird Capital Partners, and the Qatar Investment Authority. Frieze Abu Dhabi represents the first major initiative under this new ownership structure. Frieze has aggressively expanded its global footprint in recent years, acquiring the Armory Show and Expo Chicago in 2023, launching in Seoul the same year, and previously establishing presences in Los Angeles (2019) and New York (2012). These additions complement its flagship Frieze London fair, which debuted in 2003, and Frieze Masters. The Abu Dhabi launch positions Frieze alongside Art Basel, which announced plans last May for Art Basel Qatar in Doha. That fair, featuring 87 exhibitors and a curatorial theme selected by artistic director Wael Shawky, will offer a different model than Art Basel’s traditional format.
Abu Dhabi’s expanding cultural infrastructure supports the fair’s ambitions. The emirate—named the world’s wealthiest city in 2024—has invested heavily in arts institutions including the Louvre Abu Dhabi (opened 2016), NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery (2014), and forthcoming venues like the Zayed National Museum (opening December) and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (slated for next year).
The emirate has also deepened its art market involvement. In 2024, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund ADQ invested $1 billion in Sotheby’s, which subsequently held its first Saudi Arabian sale in February, generating $17.3 million. This December will see the inaugural Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week, featuring luxury auctions across multiple categories.
“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, emphasizing the partnership’s potential to champion regional artistic practices while expanding global dialogue.
Featuring Image Courtesy: The National
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