84 galleries from 64 cities across 37 countries and regions will take part in the first fair presented by Frieze in the WANASA region
The inaugural Frieze Abu Dhabi will take place from 19–22 November 2026 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District.
Marking a new chapter for Frieze and a major milestone in Abu Dhabi's trajectory as a global cultural capital, the fair will further strengthen the emirate's position within the international art market. Featuring more than 80 galleries from 64 cities and 37 countries and regions, the fair will present works from antiquity through the 20th century to the present day.
Frieze Abu Dhabi joins Frieze's global network of fairs in London, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Seoul. Shaped by the artists, galleries and institutions of the UAE and the wider West Asia, North Africa and South Asia (WANASA) region, it will bring together leading galleries from across the world.
Established in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, Frieze Abu Dhabi builds on Abu Dhabi Art’s seventeen years of community-building among collectors, galleries, artists and institutions in the region. Led by Director Dyala Nusseibeh, the fair will take place in the Saadiyat Cultural District, among leading cultural institutions including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and the forthcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Within a distinct curatorial framework prioritising discovery, exchange and connection, the fair will feature Frieze Masters Abu Dhabi curated by Marika Sardar and Global Futures curated by Tarini Malik.
The Selection Committee for Frieze Abu Dhabi includes Yasmin Atassi (Green Art Gallery), Asmaa Al-Shabibi (Lawrie Shabibi), Amrita Jhaveri (Jhaveri Contemporary), Sandhini Poddar (Adjunct Curator-at-Large, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project) and Glenn Scott Wright (Victoria Miro).
Frieze Abu Dhabi is supported by Deutsche Bank, Global Lead Partner of Frieze, for 23 years. They will present a curated installation in their lounge at the fair by UAE artist Omar Al Gurg, whose practice explores overlooked narratives and subtle ecological changes, inviting viewers into a space of reflection and contemplation.
Kristell Chadé, Executive Director of Fairs, Frieze: The inaugural edition of Frieze Abu Dhabi begins with the depth and ambition of the UAE and wider WANASA art scene and reaffirms our commitment to fostering meaningful dialogues on the global art stage. Complementing Frieze’s expansive reach, the fair amplifies voices from the region in an international context, establishing a key moment of convening and exchange for galleries, artists, institutions and collectors from across the world.
Dyala Nusseibeh, Director, Frieze Abu Dhabi: Across the main section and Focus, galleries will present ambitious, thoughtfully considered booths, while the curated sections - Global Futures and Frieze Masters Abu Dhabi - will introduce fresh perspectives and avenues for critical inquiry. Frieze Abu Dhabi will be a catalyst for knowledge production, art market integration and meaningful participation in global discourse for the whole region.
Eva Langret, Director, EMEA, Frieze: We are fortunate that this first edition of Frieze Abu Dhabi inherits nearly two decades of active community-building and benefits immeasurably from Abu Dhabi’s long-term commitment to supporting artists, galleries and cultural production. Building on that foundation, the fair is evolving to reflect the core Frieze principles: deep attention to artists and galleries, strong curatorial and editorial integrity and a genuine curiosity about what art is doing in the world right now.
Galleries
The inaugural edition of Frieze Abu Dhabi will bring together more than 60 galleries from 56 cities and 32 countries in the main Galleries section, showcasing works produced from the mid-20th century through to today.
The fair’s WANASA line-up is anchored by galleries from the United Arab Emirates, including Carbon 12, Lawrie Shabibi, The Third Line, Tabari Artspace and Iris Projects among others. Wider West Asia is represented by Saleh Barakat Gallery, Mark Hachem and Galerie Tanit from Lebanon alongside Athr and Hafez Gallery from Saudi Arabia, Dastan from Tehran and BüroSarıgedik and Galerist from Istanbul. North Africa brings a strong Tunisian contingent in A.Gorgi Gallery, Elmarsa Gallery, Selma Feriani and Le Violon Bleu Gallery, alongside Cairo’s Gypsum and ArtTalks | Kanafani Gallery and Casablanca’s Loft Art Gallery. South Asia is represented by a large contingent of Indian galleries, including Experimenter, Galerie Isa, Jhaveri Contemporary, Nature Morte and Project 88.