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ADNEC Group, a Modon company, outlined plans for 297 events across its Abu Dhabi and Al Ain facilities in the second half of 2026, according to an official announcement from the Abu Dhabi Media Office. The schedule encompasses conferences, exhibitions, consumer shows and community gatherings that span sectors including defence, technology, culture and leisure. Company data from earlier in the year showed ADNEC preparing 192 events for the first half, indicating an acceleration in activity during the latter period.
The calendar opens with the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, which ran from August 28 to September 6 and was positioned as the largest edition to date with participation from regional and international exhibitors, ADNEC Group said. September then brings the Middle East Film and Comic Con from September 11 to 13 and the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair from September 13 to 18, both hosted at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. Additional events listed include the Schneider Electric Innovation Summit and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, contributing to a dense programme that utilises multiple halls and outdoor spaces.
ADNEC venues hosted more than 1,149 events in 2025 and welcomed a record 6.3 million visitors, figures that reflect sustained growth in the group’s contribution to business tourism, according to ADNEC’s own reporting. The group generated AED9.2 billion in economic impact that year, an 8 percent increase from the AED8.5 billion recorded in 2024 when more than 1,000 events drew 5.4 million attendees. These results underscore the role of large-scale gatherings in supporting sectors from hospitality to supply chain services across the emirate.
Capital Events, ADNEC’s organising arm, has previously facilitated more than AED10 billion in business deals through selected exhibitions, a pattern the 2026 schedule seeks to continue through targeted industry platforms, company statements indicated. New or expanded events are expected to attract decision-makers, specialists and public audiences while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s standing as a preferred destination for first-time regional debuts. ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi and ADNEC Centre Al Ain together provide the infrastructure for this volume, including exhibition halls, conference facilities and supporting amenities.
The second-half programme arrives as ADNEC maintains its focus on sustainability and innovation in event delivery, building on achievements such as powering venues with clean energy and introducing recycled materials for exhibition flooring, prior company disclosures show. Organisers anticipate the lineup will drive hotel occupancy, catering demand and ancillary services, consistent with the 2.17 million hotel room nights generated in 2025. Coordination with government entities and private partners remains central to execution of the diverse event types.
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, group CEO of ADNEC, has in past announcements emphasised the importance of such calendars in advancing knowledge exchange and economic diversification, though specific comments on the latest schedule were not detailed in the September 6 release. The announcement highlights flagship returns alongside fresh additions that align with national priorities in technology, culture and investment promotion. Planning for the 297 events incorporates lessons from previous record years to optimise visitor experience and operational efficiency.
