Oak View Group and Ethara to operate Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City precinct

October 3, 2024

Oak View Group (OVG) and Ethara have announced that they are adding the management of two Abu Dhabi venues to their portfolio - Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and House of Sustainability in Expo City Dubai.

The announcement follows the businesses move in 2023 to strengthen their presence in the venue and hospitality industry in the MENA region under their joint OVG Middle East brand.

Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City complex features a range of venues including the Zayed Sports City Stadium, International Tennis Centre, Khalifa International Bowling Centre, Zayed Sports City Ice Rink and Mubadala Pavilion.

Major sporting events held at the complex include the WTA Tour’s Abu Dhabi Open, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the Asian Football Confederation’s Asian Cup.

As of January next year, Zayed Sports City Stadium will host four shows as part of Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ world tour.

OVG Middle East will also operate the House of Sustainability (formerly the UAE Pavilion) in Expo City Dubai and its 8,000 square metres of exhibition space.

The announcement comes after OVG and Ethara signed a joint venture agreement focused on the Middle East market back in September 2023. Ethara, which means ‘thrill’ in Arabic, was formed in May 2023 following a merger between Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM) and Flash Entertainment.

The expansion enhances Ethara’s portfolio in the United Arab Emirates where it also promotes Formula 1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and operates Yas Marina Circuit, Etihad Arena, Etihad Park and Yas Conference Centre.

Announcing the expansion, OVG International President, Jessica Koravos stated “we are thrilled to be expanding OVG’s venue portfolio with the first two venues in the region under OVG Middle East. They each embody excellence in their respective domains with Zayed Sports City’s rich heritage of world-class sporting and entertainment events, and the House of Sustainability with its groundbreaking design and significance in Expo City Dubai.

“This expansion aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering bespoke venue and hospitality solutions and commitment to delivering exceptional experiences at world-class facilities throughout the region.”

David Powell, Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer at Ethara, added “through our partnership with OVG, we look forward to integrating Zayed Sports City and the House of Sustainability into our portfolio as we look to evolve to meet the ever-evolving demands of the industry under OVG Middle East.”

Image: Aerial view of the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. Credit: Oak View Group.

2nd October 2024 - Dubai Exhibition Centre to undergo US$2.7 billion expansion

29th September 2024 - ASM Global advances inclusivity at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena

18th September 2024 - American Express Middle East reveals partnership with Dubai Opera

28th September 2024 - Unique skydiving stunt precedes Surf Abu Dhabi’s first event

16th September 2024 - Beach developments planned for Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island

12th January 2024 - Coldplay advise of environmental initiatives employed on current world tour

20th December 2023 - Experience Abu Dhabi launches new campaign ‘Find Your Pace’

3rd December 2023 - IAAPA prepares to host Middle East Trade Summit in Abu Dhabi

20th October 2023 - UFC extends deal for Abu Dhabi fight deal for five more years

14th September 2023 - Oak View Group and Ethara launch Middle Eastern venue joint venture

10th July 2023 - Abu Dhabi Government reveals plans for new island mega project to deliver luxury living and leisure opportunities

24th May 2023 - SeaWorld Abu Dhabi gets official opening

4th May 2023 - Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island names Aquaman actor Jason Momoa as its new ‘Chief Island Officer’

7th July 2022 - Expo City Dubai due to open from October

4th March 2022 - ASM Global, Live Nation and Oak View Group pledge to end doing business with Russia

6th July 2021 - New cricket oval opened in Abu Dhabi in advance of IPL and T20 World Cup

24th March 2021 - Abu Dhabi’s Miral introduces facial recognition at Yas Island theme parks

1st February 2021 - Centrepiece pavilion opened at Dubai Expo 2020 site

11th January 2021 - Rescheduled Dubai Expo anticipates 25 million visits over its six-month event

10th December 2017 - Dubai Parks and Zayed University encourage young Emiratis to consider leisure industry careers

12th March 2015 - UAE to host 2019 AFC Asian Cup

19th December 2008 - Culture and Heritage Projects in the UAE top US$51 billion

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.