Abu Dhabi Art Fair returns for its 17th edition from November 19–23 on Saadiyat Island, featuring 140 galleries from 35 countries—up from 104 last year and 40 in 2009. Under director Dyala Nusseibeh, the fair introduces new thematic sectors including 'The Collectors Salon' for historical objects, an expanded 'Emerge' section for works under $3,000, and a Global Focus highlighting modern masters from Nigeria and Türkiye. The growth reflects Abu Dhabi's broader cultural strategy of ambitious development, with museums long in the works finally opening and attracting global attention.
This edition is pivotal because it precedes a major market shakeup: in 2026, Frieze will take over Abu Dhabi Art, rebranding as Frieze Abu Dhabi, while Qatar simultaneously welcomes Art Basel—marking the first Gulf branches of both multinational fair entities. Nusseibeh notes the Gulf's economic stability and heavy cultural investment contrast with slowdowns elsewhere, drawing galleries seeking new markets. The fair's careful cultivation of emerging and mid-career galleries, alongside blue-chip stalwarts like Pace Gallery and Mennour, positions Abu Dhabi as a growing hub for both established and younger collectors, making this a transformative moment for the regional art ecosystem.