The entrance to Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The entrance to Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The entrance to Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The entrance to Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena guide: Where to park, what to eat, what to do and more

Here are the essentials to keep in mind before visiting Yas Island's entertainment hall

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

January 12, 2023

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Etihad Arena regularly hosts concerts, sporting events and musicals in Abu Dhabi. It is now gearing up for its winter season with a packed schedule of shows and performances over the coming months.

The 18,000-capacity venue will host acts such as Imagine Dragons, Sting and BlackPink as well as comedians Kevin Hart, Mo Amer and Kevin Bridges. In May, it will be the spot for Bollywood’s International Indian Film Academy Awards for the second straight year.

So, whether you're going to a concert, sporting event or children's show, here’s everything you need to know about Etihad Arena.

How to get to Etihad Arena?

The fastest way to reach Etihad Arena is by driving, with taxis and Careem or Uber other options.

The drive from Abu Dhabi’s city centre to the venue is around 25 minutes; from Downtown Dubai it is about one hour and 15 minutes and from Jebel Ali it is about 45 or 50 minutes. However, the timing can vary based on traffic.

Bus routes are also available, which are the cheapest option but will take more time to reach.

The Abu Dhabi bus terminal is next to Al Wahda Mall, while those in Dubai can use Al Gubaiba or Jebel Ali bus station to reach Abu Dhabi before making another bus transfer to Yas Island.

Where can I park?

According to Etihad Arena’s website, there are a couple of parking areas for those who are driving. There’s the waterfront Parking 1 or outdoor pier parking, which is about a seven-minute walk. However, sometimes this can fill up. There’s also underground parking available that has direct access to the venue as well as Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island. Parking is free and there is also the option to use valet.

How much time is needed before an event?

There is usually traffic before an event so give yourself plenty of time to travel the venue. In addition to looking for parking, it’s best to leave at least two hours before the start of an event to get to the arena on time depending on where you are coming from.

What are the food options?

Food can be ordered from the concession stands located inside Etihad Arena. Expect offerings such as hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, burgers and fries.

There are also two fully-licensed public lounges on the mezzanine floor as well as additional bars located on the ground floor, main concourse and upper concourse. The concessions and bars are cashless so only cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted.

If you have more time, there are plenty of dining options at nearby Yas Bay to check out.

What can I do around Etihad Arena?

The arena is located near Yas Bay and there’s plenty happening on the three-kilometre boardwalk including restaurants, cafes and even a gym and beach club. There’s also Pier71, which has a number of restaurants and bars.

If you want something else to do, there are outdoor public art installations to check out including works by Beastman, Fatspatrol, MonkeyBird, SupaKitch and four works of Astrocats by CoolrainLabo.

If you want to stay overnight, the five-star Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Bay is located within walking distance of the arena, opposite Pier71.

  • The new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island at Yas Bay in Abu Dhabi. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
    The new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island at Yas Bay in Abu Dhabi. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
  • Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is the first hotel to open at Yas Bay.
    Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is the first hotel to open at Yas Bay.
  • The entrance lobby at the newly opened Hilton Yas Island Abu Dhabi.
    The entrance lobby at the newly opened Hilton Yas Island Abu Dhabi.
  • The luxury resort has 545 guestrooms, including 59 suites.
    The luxury resort has 545 guestrooms, including 59 suites.
  • Rooms have an ocean-inspired color scheme and ocean, bay or pool views.
    Rooms have an ocean-inspired color scheme and ocean, bay or pool views.
  • Safety is a priority at the new five-star family resort.
    Safety is a priority at the new five-star family resort.
  • Osmo Lounge and Bar serves afternoon tea, coffee, snacks and sundowners. It also has a lovely terrace option.
    Osmo Lounge and Bar serves afternoon tea, coffee, snacks and sundowners. It also has a lovely terrace option.
  • The hotel's fully equipped fitness suite.
    The hotel's fully equipped fitness suite.
  • The hotel makes the most of its waterfront location.
    The hotel makes the most of its waterfront location.
  • Live cooking stations at Graphos Social Kitchen allow a level of interaction and theatre, in a socially distanced manner.
    Live cooking stations at Graphos Social Kitchen allow a level of interaction and theatre, in a socially distanced manner.
  • Socially distanced check-in with compulsory face masks, protective screens and a hand-sanitising station.
    Socially distanced check-in with compulsory face masks, protective screens and a hand-sanitising station.
  • Chefs at Graphos Social Kitchen, the upmarket food-hall style all-day dining restaurant.
    Chefs at Graphos Social Kitchen, the upmarket food-hall style all-day dining restaurant.
  • Rooms have some clever design features including sliding doors and concealed wardrobes.
    Rooms have some clever design features including sliding doors and concealed wardrobes.
  • Suites have a lounge, pull-out sofa bed and full-sized dining table creating a home from home.
    Suites have a lounge, pull-out sofa bed and full-sized dining table creating a home from home.
  • The sleek modern design carries through to the bathrooms.
    The sleek modern design carries through to the bathrooms.
  • More than half of the rooms at the new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island have balconies.
    More than half of the rooms at the new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island have balconies.
  • A deluxe two-bedroom suite at the new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island.
    A deluxe two-bedroom suite at the new Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island.

Other information to know

Green pass on Al Hosn is no longer required and wearing face masks inside is optional. There are no storage areas at the venue and bags larger than 30cm x 30cm x 5cm as well as strollers are not allowed. Hand sanitisers are available at various points throughout the arena.

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The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Updated: January 12, 2023, 4:01 PM
Abu Dhabi