Abu Dhabi Art will enter a new chapter as Frieze Abu Dhabi following a partnership between Frieze and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
The inaugural edition of Frieze Abu Dhabi will take place from November 19 to 22, 2026, at Manarat Al Saadiyat, bringing together 84 galleries from 63 cities across 36 countries.
Established in partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi, the fair builds on the 17-year history of Abu Dhabi Art and its role in bringing together artists, galleries, collectors and cultural institutions from across the region and beyond.
The inaugural edition will present works spanning antiquity, the 20th century and contemporary art. Participating galleries will include Gagosian, Pace Gallery, Thaddaeus Ropac and Timothy Taylor, alongside galleries from the UAE and the wider region.
The fair will feature four main sections. Galleries will serve as the main section, while Focus will present younger international galleries. Frieze Masters Abu Dhabi will explore cultural exchange across the Indian Ocean, and Global Futures will feature solo presentations by artists spanning different generations and geographies.
The wider programme will include the Frieze Abu Dhabi Artist Award, Frieze Sculpture and In Dialogue, alongside a series of curated talks exploring collecting, the institutional landscape and artistic practice.
Frieze Abu Dhabi forms part of the evolving cultural landscape of Saadiyat Cultural District, alongside institutions including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which is scheduled to open in December 2026.
The transition from Abu Dhabi Art to Frieze Abu Dhabi reflects the partnership between Frieze and DCT Abu Dhabi while continuing the fair’s long-standing engagement with the regional and international art community.
