Etihad Arena is the UAE's flagship entertainment complex, which first opened its doors to the public in January 2021.
Situated overlooking the impressive Yas Bay, Etihad Arena attracts some of the biggest names in music, sport and entertainment. It’s also the largest multipurpose indoor venue in the UAE, with a capacity of 18,000 people.
Built using sustainable technology to ensure excellent acoustics and energy efficiency, this state-of-the-art venue welcomes everything from UFC matches to family friendly shows and comedy evenings.
The striking design and shimmering gold exterior of the Etihad Arena offers a great place for a stroll along the Yas Bay and a meal before or after the show too.
Explore more at Etihad Arena.
Those who love exciting events, families looking for kids' shows, sports fans and comedy enthusiasts. Etihad Arena caters to all.
The amazing waterfront location on Yas Bay, the dazzling architectural style and the fantastic live events held at the Etihad arena.
Upgrade your Etihad Arena experience when you book Club Seating. Enjoy the best seats available and gain access to the sumptuous Club Lounge, where the views the bay are unrivalled, refreshments are complimentary and the service is second to none. For the ultimate hospitality, book a private suite to entertain and impress. From exclusive entry to the best views of the entertainment, this is a fabulous way to make your time at the Etihad Arena unforgettable.
Accessibility is front and centre at Etihad Arena. Every public event at Etihad Arena is accessible to all, with disabled seating, parking spaces and a separate pick up and drop off area for visitors with reduced mobility. If you have reduced mobility or someone in your party has special needs, simply contact the concierge team, who will be happy to answer your questions and help with your arrangements.
Relax before or after an event in one of the great food and beverage venues. Inside the arena you’ll find a range of possibilities including two licensed lounges located on the Mezzanine floor, as well as concessions throughout the venue. There’s also plenty of other dining options within the wider Yas Bay waterfront.
The eye-catching design and sleek golden colour scheme of the Etihad Arena has made it an instant landmark on iconic Yas Island. Not only that, this brand-new venue has also been awarded Sustainable Building Design of the Year at the MENA Green Building Awards. Cutting-edge approaches to heat deflection and solar energy ensure that while you enjoy the temperature-controlled interior and the excellent acoustics, this building is as environmentally friendly as they come.
The flexible configuration of the interior ensures the full range of Etihad Arena events can be accommodated. Due to the ingenious design of the seating blocks, you might find yourself watching a UFC event with the action in a central ring, entertainment events with an offset stage, or even swimming championships and ice shows, where the arena's multipurpose credentials come to the fore. It may be the UAE’s largest indoor multi-purpose venue, but it maintains an intimate atmosphere throughout.
From award-winning musicals and stand-up comedians to massive sporting events and some of the world’s biggest chart-toppers, the flexible configuration of the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi means that there’s always an exciting array of events to enjoy. With the ingenious design of the seating blocks, and as the UAE’s largest indoor multi-purpose venue, Etihad Arena is a world-class entertainment experience. Plus, it maintains just as intimate and exciting an atmosphere for exhilarating UFC fights as it does for pop concerts and family-friendly ice shows.
Positioned in an iconic waterfront location on Yas Bay, in the south of Yas Island, Etihad Arena boasts two miles (three kilometres) of shoreline right on their doorstep. Wander along the boardwalk to find shops and eateries, which lend a celebratory feel to the surroundings.
Get directions
Follow the Corniche road northeast towards the Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital. Then choose between the E12 expressway (through the islands) or the E10 expressway that skirts the city. Both journeys take 30 minutes by car and are around 22 miles (35 kilometres) distance to reach Yas Bay.
Getting to Etihad Arena from other attractions on Yas Island is a breeze. The arena is located just off Yas Drive, which links it to Ferrari World™ Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld in under 10 minutes. It's a maximum of 15 minutes’ drive to any point on the island.
The iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi is one of the city's most celebrated attractions, located at the furthest point of Saadiyat Island from the Etihad Arena. You can drive between the two attractions in around 25 minutes along the direct E12 expressway.
There’s ample parking at Etihad Arena – both covered and open – with dedicated parking and entrance for those taking advantage of the hospitality boxes. For sold out shows, parking is also available in the surrounding area.
When you enter the arena, attentive staff will perform a personal and item search to ensure you are not carrying anything prohibited or dangerous. This includes banners, bags, food and drink.
Within the arena, there are plenty of concessions stands where you can grab a snack or drink while there’s an event taking place. Several bars are also available for pre- and post-show dining.
The events held at Etihad Arena are accessible to all. Just contact the Concierge Team to plan ahead – they will ensure your experience goes smoothly every step of the way.
Take a look at the official website for the full list of events happening at the Arena. There’s always a huge variety including everything from sports tournaments, rock concerts, ice skating shows and commercial conventions to comedians and plays.
Construction began in 2017, as part of a $3.2 billion project to create a new entertainment destination at Yas Bay and lasted over two years. The site was officially opened in January 2021.
The maximum capacity for events is 18,000. But there are different seating configurations, depending on the nature of the event, which can reduce this capacity. There are also smaller venues within the arena for events requiring a more intimate atmosphere.
The premium offer at Etihad Arena includes Club Seating for enhanced comfort and access to the Club Lounge. Meanwhile for the true VIP experience, book a hospitality suite, which ensures the best views, premium refreshments and VIP parking.
Yas Waterworld is fun with a capital F. Splash about in the pools, zip down the slides and get your heart pumping on the rides. All ages are catered for at this mega water park.
Discover more
Get ready for high octane fun at Ferrari World™ Abu Dhabi, where 40 rides await thrill seekers of all ages. If you love fast cars, you'll love Ferrari World™ Abu Dhabi.
Yas Links Golf Club is a picturesque and challenging links course, which is highly regarded in the golfing world. It has a friendly clubhouse too.
The clever design of Etihad Arena ensures that it deflects heat during the day and reuses solar energy to power the colourful lights around the building at night.
The flexible seating plan at the arena means that the venue can be converted from an intimate 500 seat theatre to an 18,000-capacity event.
Another iconic building on Abu Dhabi's modern skyline is Capital Gate, home to ADNEC exhibition and conference centre, as well as high-end leisure facilities including a five-star hotel.
The UAE’s capital has excellent sporting facilities. None more so than the extensive ZSC stadium, where you’ll find football pitches, ice rinks, tennis courts and more.
This waterfront mall mixes up a pinch of everything, from fabulous shopping and dining to a multiplex cinema and even a huge trampoline park.
All imagery provided by © Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi
