Expo City Dubai has concluded a high-impact year of global gatherings, cultural showcases and community-led programmes, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors and hosting more than 75 events as it prepares for an even larger international calendar in 2026.
Throughout the year, the city reinforced its role as a global convening hub, hosting sustainability summits, cultural festivals, educational forums, family celebrations and sporting events that drew diverse local and international audiences.
A major highlight was the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum, held in the Middle East for the first time. The event brought together more than 150 mayors and leaders from over 300 cities, attracted 1,500 delegates and speakers, and unlocked an estimated US$9 billion in investment opportunities.
Expo City also hosted the Sustainable Destinations Forum and the Clean Energy Business Council Annual Summit, while advancing environmental initiatives through the launch of Terra’s IUCN Centre for Species Survival and the Jane Goodall Pollinator Garden.
Cultural and community engagement remained central. Signature events such as Hai Ramadan, Dhai Dubai, Eid Al Etihad celebrations, Winter City and the Festival of Cake delivered record attendance, while partnerships with Dubai Culture expanded with the opening of House of Arts.
The Women’s Pavilion supported female empowerment through workforce programmes, health initiatives and its first FemTech Hackathon, while legacy attractions Terra, Alif and Vision Dubai continued to engage families, students and young innovators.
Sporting events attracted more than 20,000 participants, strengthening Expo City’s focus on health and wellbeing.
Looking ahead, Expo City Dubai is gearing up for a busy 2026, with major international events including GITEX and the World Health Expo, alongside the arrival of its first residents, marking a new chapter in its evolution as a people-focused, sustainable destination.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
