Dubai Exhibition Centre readies for January opening - in pictures

  • Officials say the centre at Expo Dubai is on target to become a global hub for events and conferences. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Officials say the centre at Expo Dubai is on target to become a global hub for events and conferences. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • A 1.2km space at Dubai Exhibition Centre that will open in January 2026. Antonie Robertson / The National
    A 1.2km space at Dubai Exhibition Centre that will open in January 2026. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Phase one of the Dh10 billion Dubai Exhibition Centre expansion is nearing completion. Photo: Dubai Media Office / X
    Phase one of the Dh10 billion Dubai Exhibition Centre expansion is nearing completion. Photo: Dubai Media Office / X
  • The expansion is located in Expo City, with connections to the Dubai Metro, shuttle bus services and about 10,000 parking slots. Photo: Dubai Media Office / X
    The expansion is located in Expo City, with connections to the Dubai Metro, shuttle bus services and about 10,000 parking slots. Photo: Dubai Media Office / X
  • The new events space at Expo City Dubai will host between 65,000 to 80,000 visitors when the final phase of construction is completed in 2031. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The new events space at Expo City Dubai will host between 65,000 to 80,000 visitors when the final phase of construction is completed in 2031. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Mega exhibitions, such as Gulfood and WHX, formerly Arab Health, will move to the Dubai Exhibition Centre next year. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Mega exhibitions, such as Gulfood and WHX, formerly Arab Health, will move to the Dubai Exhibition Centre next year. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Mechanical and electrical work is under way. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Mechanical and electrical work is under way. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Mahir Julfar, executive vice president of Dubai World Trade Centre, says the new exhibition centre reflects the emirate's capacity to deliver large-scale projects in record time. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Mahir Julfar, executive vice president of Dubai World Trade Centre, says the new exhibition centre reflects the emirate's capacity to deliver large-scale projects in record time. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Amer Al Farsi, vice president of real estate development at Dubai World Trade Centre, believes the centre will transform the city into a global hub for events and conferences. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Amer Al Farsi, vice president of real estate development at Dubai World Trade Centre, believes the centre will transform the city into a global hub for events and conferences. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The Dh10bn expansion plan for the centre will be divided into three phases, ending in 2031. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The Dh10bn expansion plan for the centre will be divided into three phases, ending in 2031. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The existing Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo Dubai was part of Expo 2020 and hosted Cop28. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The existing Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo Dubai was part of Expo 2020 and hosted Cop28. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Construction work in February 2025 to build the region’s largest indoor exhibition and conference centre. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Construction work in February 2025 to build the region’s largest indoor exhibition and conference centre. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Construction in February 2025 at a record pace to deliver 140,000sqm of exhibition space by January 2026. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Construction in February 2025 at a record pace to deliver 140,000sqm of exhibition space by January 2026. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Work in progress in February 2025 as part of phase one of the Dh10billion expansion plan for the Dubai Exhibition Centre with the final construction to end in 2031. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Work in progress in February 2025 as part of phase one of the Dh10billion expansion plan for the Dubai Exhibition Centre with the final construction to end in 2031. Antonie Robertson / The National