The UAE’s events landscape is going to get a seismic upgrade. At the heart of it lies the newly expanded Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), a massive Dh10 billion (AED 10 billion) development designed to transform Dubai into a global hub for large-scale exhibitions, conferences and mega-events. With the first phase scheduled to open in January, following a rapid construction timeline, the centre is poised to shift the baton from the long-standing Dubai World Trade Centre and reshape the region’s events economy.
In this article I’ll take you inside the story: the vision, the design, the logistics, and what it means for Dubai, and for the world of events.
The ambition behind the Dubai Exhibition Centre is clear: build a facility that can host major exhibitions at a scale rarely seen in the Middle East. With 140,000 m² of exhibition space in phase one alone, the centre is being built to cater to tens of thousands of visitors per day. The longer-term objective is even more striking: when completed in 2031, the venue will be able to host between 65,000 and 80,000 participants in one layout.
This is not just about more space. It is about flexibility, tech-enabled infrastructure, and hub connectivity. Organisers are looking for seamless logistics, open-plan halls without columns, high-end utilities and rapid access. The DEC promises all that.
For Dubai, the strategic aim aligns with its ambition under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to triple the economic contribution of its meetings, conferences and events sector to Dh54 billion annually by 2033. The new centre is a key piece of that puzzle.
One of the most impressive aspects of the DEC project is the speed of delivery. More than 4,000 workers have been engaged across the site, moving fast to deliver the first phase by January. Mechanical and electrical works are in their final stages, and the building’s distinctive orange façade is going up as the technical fit-out continues.
The hall features a remarkable 1.2 km column-free span from north to south–a design feature that gives organisers maximum flexibility in how they configure events. Over the coming years, the venue will roll out in three phases, culminating in the full 180,000 m² exhibition footprint by 2031.
Location is everything for a facility of this scale, and the DEC sits within Expo City Dubai, a large-scale events and innovation district that emerged from the legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai. It benefits from excellent transport links including the Metro Red Line, express shuttle buses (up to 80 for major events), and about 10,000 parking slots at the venue.
Hotels and serviced apartments surround the centre: three hotels will be within walking distance, and more than 45 hotels are within a 20-minute drive. In short: the guests arrive, the logistics work, and the pressure is on delivering world-class experience.
From January of next year, the DEC will start picking up major shows that have traditionally run at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The first wave includes global names like Gulfood Global and WHX (formerly known as Arab Health). These will mark the transition of the region’s exhibition ecosystem into the new venue.
In the opening phase the venue is expected to handle up to around 50,000 visitors per day across a single level–a remarkable capacity. Going forward as more phases open, the number of major shows is expected to increase: four shows in 2026, six to seven in 2027, nine to ten by 2028. That demonstrates the exhibition ecosystem’s growth trajectory.
For organisers, the benefits are significant:
For attendees the experience elevates too: fewer constraints on event design, better transport logistics, more comfort, potentially more immersive and interactive exhibits.
From a broader perspective the venue strengthens Dubai’s credentials to bid for key international congresses and mega-events—beyond exhibitions—to a level competitive with global cities.
This facility isn’t just about building a big exhibition venue—it’s an economic lever. The DEC is projected to play a key role in the growth of trade, innovation and collaboration across multiple sectors in the UAE. By providing a platform that connects industry, commerce and innovation, it opens up possibilities in sectors such as technology, food, healthcare, logistics and beyond.
With the D33 agenda in motion, the growth of the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector is a cornerstone of Dubai’s economic diversification. A venue like DEC can attract high-value international events, with attendant spending on hotels, transport, dining, entertainment and services. It also builds a long-term legacy of skills, logistics, hospitality and global connectivity.
Building a mega-facility on this timeline brings its share of challenges:
On the strategic side, here are some insights:
The opening of the first phase of DEC next January marks a major milestone—but it is just the beginning. The full build-out through to 2031 will see the venue expand to 180,000 m², with capability to split into 26 halls and host more than 20 events simultaneously if needed. That’s a dramatic scale.
This roadmap signals that Dubai is not only ready for the next generation of exhibitions, but is also building for future decades. As global supply-chains evolve, and event formats shift (hybrid, experiential, large studio-style staging), having space and flexibility is critical. DEC’s design suggests it is built for tomorrow’s formats, not just yesterday’s.
Whether you’re an exhibitor, event organiser, attendee, service provider or stakeholder in the business ecosystem, here’s what to keep in mind:
The expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre is not just about bigger halls—it’s about positioning Dubai for the next wave of global events. With the first phase launching soon and ambitious growth planned through the next decade, this is a facility built not just for today’s shows but for tomorrow’s opportunities. If you’re part of the events universe—whether as planner, exhibitor, attendee, or service-provider—it’s time to sit up and take notice of what’s coming.
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