Etihad Airways has agreed a deal to acquire naming rights to Yas Bay Arena, a new multi-purpose indoor arena in Abu Dhabi.
Etihad reached the agreement with Miral, which is responsible for the development and management of Yas Island.
The venue will officially be known as Etihad Arena as part of the agreement, which is designed to position the arena as a leading entertainment destination in the region.
Etihad Arena will be operated by Flash Entertainment and will host events with capacities ranging from 200 to 18,000 people. It is set to host sports events, corporate events, cultural performances and concerts.
Tony Douglas, group chief executive of Etihad Aviation Group, said: “It’s an honour to partner with an Abu Dhabi institution such as Miral on this joint venture, that will further promote Abu Dhabi and Yas Island as a hub for entertainment, tourism and culture.
“Etihad Arena complements our global presence at a number of sporting and entertainment venues, most notably Etihad Stadium in Manchester, home of Manchester City Football Club. This new arena will bring an abundance of talent to our capital, providing a diverse range of entertainment options for guests visiting our beautiful city, or for those who call the UAE home.”
Miral chief executive Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi added: “As our national airline with international reach, Etihad Airways is the ideal partner to help position the newly named Etihad Arena competitively on the local and regional map of live entertainment destinations.
“The new venue will be a significant addition to the unique offerings on Yas Island and in Abu Dhabi, creating unforgettable experiences, and helping us deliver on our vision to position Yas Island as a top global destination for entertainment, leisure and business. This is a testament to our commitment to grow the tourism industry and achieve our leadership’s vision of economic diversification.”
Yas Island is home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Yas Links Golf Course, Yas Mall, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Marina and seven hotels.
The Etihad Arena is set to open this year but no specific date has been announced yet.
Image: Miral
