Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Park has been officially renamed Etihad Live, with owner Ethara signalling a new phase for one of the region’s most established open-air entertainment venues – and announcing a multi-million-dirham revamp scheduled for 2027.
The rebrand, in partnership with Etihad Airways, comes as the 17-year-old venue seeks to position itself as a more integrated live entertainment platform capable of handling increasingly complex international productions.
The 2027 investment will focus on core infrastructure, premium hospitality, crowd flow and the overall audience journey, the company said. Etihad Live also reflects the shared ambition of naming partners, Etihad Airways, to attract and welcome a growing international audience.
“Etihad Live reflects the next phase of a venue that has been central to Abu Dhabi’s live entertainment growth for more than 17 years. As the demands of global touring continue to evolve, the venue has committed significant investment on strengthening the infrastructure, experience and operational capability required to bring more ambitious productions to the emirate, while continuing to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position within the international live entertainment industry. We look forward to releasing these plans to the public as we move into a new era for Etihad Liv,” David Powell, Chief Portfolio & Strategy Officer at Ethara said in a statement.
“We are thrilled to see our name on one of the world’s most iconic entertainment venues, Etihad Live. This reflects our commitment to enriching the experiences that make this city such a remarkable place to live, work and visit. Just as we connect the world to Abu Dhabi through our global network, we are proud to be connected to the moments and memories that happen right here at home. Etihad Live is a celebration of everything Abu Dhabi represents, from ambition and hospitality to a vision for the future that continues to inspire us all,” Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways added.
First opened in 2009, the venue has a flexible 42,000-person capacity and more than 22,000 sqm of event space, anchored by a 24-metre by 18-metre performance area. Its history includes concerts by Madonna, Coldplay, The Rolling Stones, Rihanna, The Weeknd and Eminem, as well as festival formats including Creamfields, Ultra Music Festival and KCON. The annual Yasalam After-Race Concerts, held during the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, have been a fixture of the venue’s calendar.
In 2025, the Yasalam programme drew 136,000 attendees. The 2026 schedule already includes the Offlimits festival with Jonas Brothers and Shakira, and Grand Prix after-race concerts headlined by Lewis Capaldi, Zara Larsson and Imagine Dragons.
Current facilities include a main bowl, fan village, private suites, elevated viewing platforms, areas for people of determination and VIP hospitality zones. The venue is ten minutes from Zayed International Airport and under an hour from Dubai.
Powell said Ethara plans to release full details of the 2027 development to the public in due course.
