Earlier known as du Arena, this venue was renamed as Etihad Park very recently owing to sponsorship reasons. Etihad Park is an outdoor music venue and also an amphitheater It is located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi – the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
History of Etihad Park
Etihad Park opened its doors in 2009. It is the proud recipient of the title of “the largest open-air venue in the Middle East.” It can accommodate up to 40,000 people at a time and has seen over 6 million people attend live concerts in the premises since its inauguration. Etihad Park is a key part of the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi complex.
The partners in the park are – Yas Island, the Department of Culture & Tourism, Abu Dhabi, and Etihad Airways.
A favorite party location, Etihad Park has hosted some of the biggest names in international music over the years. It has also encouraged cutting-edge new talents to perform here and gain a fan following. One of the most notable events that take place here is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix post-race concert. Fans from all over the GCC countries flock to Etihad Park to be a part of this magical & pulsating event.
The atmosphere at Etihad Park reaches a fever pitch during the concerts. The renowned Flash Entertainment organization owns this venue and it has been awarded multiple times since its inception. The platform is state-of-the-art and equipped with the most modern facilities. This makes it an automatic choice for premium music & sports events, featuring A-list stars. And, not surprisingly, all the concerts here are sold-out well in advance!
Sitting Capacity
The park has a sitting capacity of approximately 25,000, making it one of the largest open-air venues in the UAE. It has a world-class infrastructure and facilities, including a well-maintained pitch, spacious stands, and modern amenities for the comfort of spectators.
Notable Events Hosted
- Beyonce – I Am…..World Tour (2009)
- Jamiroquai (2009)
- Aerosmith (2009)
- Linkin Park – A Thousand Suns World Tour (2010)
- Prince – Prince 20Ten (2010)
- Guns N’ Roses – Chinese Democracy Tour (2010)
- Stevie Wonder – 2011
- Eric Clapton – 2011
- Paul McCartney – On The Run Tour (2011)
- Elton John – Greatest Hits Tour (2012)
- Madonna – The MDNA Tour (2012)
The Etihad Park has also hosted legendary artists like Metallica, The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Robbie Williams, Enrique Iglesias, Lionel Richie, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Eminem, Def Leppard, Khalid, and many more.
In total, now, about 140 sold-out events have been organized at Etihad Park.
The first Wireless Festival of the Middle East – a festival of rap & urban music that takes place every year in London – would be held here at Etihad Park in 2023.
Etihad Park Ticket Price
As for entrance ticket prices, it may vary depending on the event being hosted at the park. Typically, ticket prices range from AED 50 to AED 500, with VIP and premium packages available for those who want to enjoy a more exclusive experience.
How to Reach Etihad Park?
Etihad Park is quite close to Abu Dhabi. So, if your trip is centered around only Dubai, it would be better to come down to Abu Dhabi for your trip to Etihad Park. The best option is to book a cab or hire a self-driven vehicle from Abu Dhabi. From Abu Dhabi, the directions are as follows:
- Via the Al Raha Beach Highway (E10 Highway)
- Take the E10 highway and head toward Abu Dhabi via the Maqta Bridge
- Head towards Khalifa City via Exit 29
- Keep a watch for the signs depicting Al Raha Beach East/Presidential Flight/Airport
- Take a right and head along Al Raha Street
- Watch out for the signs for Yas Island
- Take a left via Yas Tunnel for Yas Island
- Drive past Yas Marina Circuit
- The next right would lead you to the Etihad Park
- Via the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Highway (E12 Highway)
- Move along the E12 Sheikh Khalifa Highway and keep a watch for the signage directing you to Yas Island
- Reach up to Yas Leisure Drive
- Drive past Yas Waterworld & Ferrari World
- Watch out for signages directing you to Etihad Park
- Reach Yas Marina Circuit and make a U-turn and take the right exit towards Etihad Park
Yas Mall’s Fashion Parking or Grand Prix Parking has ample parking space.
To conclude, a visit to Etihad Park is a must for you – especially if there is an event that is being organized there. The pulse-pounding fervor, the electrifying atmosphere, the involved audience, and the pulsating performance – it’s a heady combo! This experience would be a once-in-a-lifetime one for you. Don’t miss it!
