The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has announced that the first phase of its Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) expansion is in its final stages, positioning the venue to host world-leading mega exhibitions starting in early 2026. This significant development reinforces Dubai’s standing as a premier global destination for major business events and is set to dramatically increase the city’s capacity for the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry.
A Strategic Expansion for a Global Hub
As part of a long-term vision, the DEC is on track to become the largest purpose-built indoor exhibitions and events venue in the region by 2031. The initial AED 10 billion phase of this expansion is delivering 140,000 square metres of advanced event space, which includes 64,000 square metres of new exhibition halls and 30,000 square metres of flexible pavilion space.
The newly integrated complex is designed to support up to 50,000 visitors daily, significantly boosting Dubai’s ability to accommodate the growing global demand for large-scale events.
Readiness for 2026 Mega Events
The expanded venue will be inaugurated by hosting two of the most influential global events in their respective sectors: Gulfood Global and the World Health Expo (formerly Arab Health). The new temporary pavilions, which provide added capacity and flexibility, connect directly to the main halls and are conveniently linked to Expo City’s Al Wasl Plaza and the Expo 2020 Metro Station via pedestrian access. These pavilions will feature outdoor food and beverage terraces and activation zones to enhance the visitor experience before transitioning back into construction sites for the next phase of development.
Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President at Dubai World Trade Centre, commented, “The expansion of Dubai Exhibition Centre represents Dubai’s proven capability to deliver large-scale international events with precision, excellence, and impact. Readiness of the expanded venue, in record time, reflects the seamless collaboration between government entities and city partners, from infrastructure and mobility to safety and visitor experience.”
A Landmark Infrastructure Project
The project is being lauded as one of Dubai’s most advanced and efficiently executed infrastructure undertakings, combining intelligent design with scale and sustainability. Key construction milestones have already been achieved, including the substantial completion of the building’s roof and facade and achieving phased power-on in collaboration with DEWA.
Amer Al Farsi, Vice President of Real Estate Development at Dubai World Trade Centre, stated, “The Dubai Exhibition Centre expansion stands as one of Dubai’s most advanced and efficiently executed infrastructure projects, combining intelligent design, scale, and sustainability. Our teams are now focused on final readiness, ensuring that the venue’s systems, facilities, and visitor infrastructure reflect DWTC’s uncompromising standards of quality and safety.”
The sheer scale of the project is reflected in its construction statistics, with over 4,000 workers contributing more than 9 million man-hours. The structure includes 14,000 tonnes of steel and 48,000 cubic metres of reinforced concrete, underscoring the monumental effort to deliver this world-class facility.
About Dubai World Trade Centre
The Dubai World Trade Centre is a major hub for business and events in the Middle East. Since its inauguration in 1979, DWTC has played a pivotal role in the growth of international trade for the region, hosting a diverse calendar of international exhibitions, conventions, and consumer events that attract global audiences and drive economic growth for Dubai and the UAE.
Source: Zawya
