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

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.