Ethara expands venue portfolio in UAE

Ethara, a leading event management and venue operator in the Middle East, and Oak View Group (OVG) have jointly announced that they will operate Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City complex.

Zayed Sports City features 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. In January, Zayed Sports City Stadium will host four shows as part of Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ world tour.

OVG and Ethara will also operate the House of Sustainability (formerly UAE Pavilion) in Expo City Dubai. The venue features 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.

Zayed Sports City and House of Sustainability are the first venues to fall under the operation of OVG Middle East.

The additions of Zayed Sports City and House of Sustainability bolster Ethara’s portfolio in the United Arab Emirates. The company also promotes Formula 1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and operates Yas Marina Circuit, Etihad Arena, Etihad Park and Yas Conference Centre.

Jessica Koravos, president of OVG International, said: “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.”