Etihad Arena

Etihad Arena anchors a new waterfront entertainment district on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, providing a year-round destination for culture, sports and community events. Our design responds to the region’s extreme climate while creating a flexible venue that serves both residents and international visitors.

Design Solutions

The arena’s flexible configuration accommodates events ranging from intimate gatherings of 500 guests to concerts and sporting events for 18,000 people. Robust technology infrastructure and modular seating allow operators to transform the venue quickly between configurations, ensuring smooth transitions for different audience sizes and event types. Premium amenities extend the arena’s versatility — hospitality boxes and terrace bars serve sports fans and concert-goers, while a VIP lounge converts into a grand ballroom for private functions and corporate events.

The design addresses Abu Dhabi’s extreme heat through sustainable strategies that balance performance and comfort for year-round use. The building’s form and high-performance facade minimize solar heat gain through optimized geometry, adjustable sun-shade louvers and thermal buffer zones that moderate temperature in transitional spaces, keeping visitors comfortable as they move between indoor and outdoor areas.

The arena’s exterior acts as both shield and beacon, serving dual purposes throughout the day. The facade’s shading system protects the interior from harsh sunlight during daytime events. At night, it becomes a luminous feature, reflecting light across Yas Bay and activating the waterfront boardwalk to draw visitors. Food and beverage amenities surrounding the arena extend activity beyond event hours, creating a vibrant public realm that remains active between performances.

Impact

Etihad Arena strengthens Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a global destination for culture and live entertainment. The venue’s year-round programming supports tourism and local economic growth while offering residents access to international events close to home. The project earned recognition for both design and sustainability achievements, including the Emirates Green Building Council’s Sustainable Building of the Year award and The Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award.