Frieze Abu Dhabi is scheduled to run from 19 to 22 November 2026 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, in the Saadiyat Cultural District. The line-up of 84 galleries from 63 cities in 36 countries was announced on 27 August. It is the first Frieze fair in the West Asia, North Africa and South Asia region, and it takes the place of Abu Dhabi Art, the capital’s art fair for the past 17 years.
For collectors in the Gulf, the arrival of a global fair brand on Saadiyat comes three weeks before Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opens its doors, which has been announced for 11 December. This guide sets out what is confirmed, what is still to come and what is worth planning around.
The basics
- Dates: 19 to 22 November 2026.
- Venue: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi.
- Galleries: 84, from 63 cities in 36 countries.
- Tickets: prices had not been announced as of 27 August.
The Art Newspaper notes that the gallery count is marginally lower than at recent editions of Abu Dhabi Art. The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi remains a partner, and Deutsche Bank, Frieze’s global lead partner, is a sponsor. Dyala Nusseibeh, who directed Abu Dhabi Art for many years, is the director of the new fair.
Kristell Chadé, Frieze’s executive director of fairs, said the inaugural edition begins with the depth and ambition of the art scene in the UAE and the wider region, which Frieze refers to as WANASA. She added that the fair amplifies voices from the region in an international context. Nusseibeh described the fair as a catalyst for knowledge production and for integrating the art market.
The main section
More than 60 galleries show art from the mid-20th century to the present day. The international names include Gagosian, Pace, Thaddaeus Ropac, Perrotin, Victoria Miro, Timothy Taylor, Galleria Continua and Leila Heller.
The regional presence is substantial, and it is where a visit becomes specific to this part of the world:
- UAE: Carbon 12, Lawrie Shabibi, The Third Line, Tabari Artspace and Iris Projects.
- Saudi Arabia: Athr and Hafez Gallery.
- Lebanon: Saleh Barakat, Mark Hachem and Galerie Tanit.
- Cairo: Gypsum and ArtTalks | Kanafani.
Women artists shown in the main section include Etel Adnan, Hamra Abbas, Shaikha Al Mazrou and Juliana Seraphim. A first-time visitor can use the gallery list as a map of the region’s art scene: each of these galleries has its own roster of artists to look up before the fair opens.
Frieze Masters Abu Dhabi
Frieze Masters covers art from antiquity to the early 20th century, and its Abu Dhabi section is led by Marika Sardar. Its inaugural theme is the Indian Ocean, a choice that fits a region whose history has long been tied to sea trade. Collectibles such as rare books, maps and antiquities are part of the section.
For collectors who come mainly for contemporary work, it is worth setting aside time here. The Indian Ocean theme gives the section a story to follow, and the material on show is the kind that is rarely seen at a modern art fair.
Global Futures
Global Futures is a section of solo presentations led by the curator Tarini Malik. The artists are linked to the UAE and the wider region, and include Ala Younis, Abdullah Al Saadi, Mohammed Joha and Seta Manoukian. A solo format lets a gallery give one artist a whole booth, which tends to make for a clearer visit than a mixed wall.
Focus
Focus, which was known as Bidaya at Abu Dhabi Art, is for younger galleries and shows experimental solo or dual presentations. It is supported by Frieze bursaries. Visitors who like to see where new work is heading will find it a useful stop.
Also planned
- The first Frieze Abu Dhabi Artist Award.
- Frieze Sculpture.
- An In Dialogue exhibition.
- A talks programme.
No further detail on these had been announced at the time of writing.
Who chose the galleries
The selection committee includes Asmaa Al-Shabibi, Yasmin Atassi, Amrita Jhaveri and Sandhini Poddar, who is a curator at Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. That overlap is a small sign of how closely the fair and the new museum are linked in the district.
Planning your visit
With the fair on a fixed four-day window, it is sensible to settle travel and hotels early. Ticket prices have yet to be announced, and details are expected to appear on the fair’s official channels.
A few suggestions from the programme as it stands:
- Begin with the regional galleries in the main section, then move to Global Futures for a closer look at individual artists.
- Keep time for Frieze Masters, where the Indian Ocean theme runs through the section.
- Check the talks programme once published, since it may shape the days you choose.
For readers planning a longer stay, the Guggenheim’s opening on 11 December, a few hundred metres away in the same district, offers a reason to return. Together they make Saadiyat the Gulf’s clearest art destination this winter.
Sources: The National, The Art Newspaper