Frieze has announced it will launch an Abu Dhabi edition in November 2026, marking its first fair in the Middle East and its eighth global event. The fair will take over the existing Abu Dhabi Art fair through a partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), and will be held at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the Saadiyat Cultural District. Dyala Nusseibeh will remain as director. The announcement comes as Frieze's rival Art Basel prepares to launch its own Middle East fair in Doha, Qatar, in February 2025, and follows the recent acquisition of Frieze by Hollywood tycoon Ari Emanuel via his holding company Mari, which has financial ties to Abu Dhabi-based investors.
This expansion underscores the growing importance of the Gulf region as a hub for the global art market, with both Frieze and Art Basel competing for influence in the Middle East. The deal also highlights the deep financial and personal connections between Emanuel's business empire and Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth funds, including Mubadala and IMI. By establishing a presence in Abu Dhabi, Frieze gains a strategic gateway to the Global South, while the emirate strengthens its position as a cultural capital, leveraging its Saadiyat Cultural District to attract top-tier international art events.