Abu Dhabi is set to host the International Real Estate and Investment Show (IREIS 2026) from September 17 to 19 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Approved by the Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the event will bring together key players in the property sector, including developers, investors, financial institutions, and homebuyers, amid continued growth in the emirate’s real estate market.
Data from the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) indicates a significant surge in property transactions, with the value rising 76.6 percent to AED 203.01 billion in the 12 months ending June 30, 2026. During this period, the total number of transactions increased by 64.53 percent to 53,177. Property sales in the first half of 2026 amounted to AED 88.25 billion, approaching the AED 93.34 billion recorded for the entire year of 2025, while the overall value of real estate transactions hit AED 121.90 billion compared to AED 142.21 billion in 2025.
This sustained momentum is underpinned by extensive development activity across Abu Dhabi. According to a report from BNC Network, development projects valued at approximately AED 2.78 trillion ($758 billion) are at various planning and construction stages. The emirate’s active construction portfolio totals over AED 477 billion ($130 billion), supported by more than 38,600 active licences. Significant infrastructure projects exceeding AED 200 billion are ongoing under the Abu Dhabi Plan for Infrastructure, alongside a public-private partnership pipeline estimated at AED 55 billion.
IREIS 2026 will showcase a wide range of investment opportunities across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah. The event reflects a growing trend among Abu Dhabi investors to diversify their real estate holdings within the country, while developers from other emirates continue expanding their presence in the capital, viewed as a key investment hub. Dubai remains a leading market with a focus on residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments attracting international capital. Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah are emerging as notable destinations for affordable housing, waterfront projects, hospitality, and lifestyle-oriented investments.
Distinct from typical real estate exhibitions, IREIS emphasizes transactional activity, enabling property sales, reservations, and immediate investment decisions during the event. This approach allows developers to connect directly with qualified investors, while buyers gain access to exclusive offers, flexible payment plans, and the latest developments across the UAE’s diverse real estate landscape.
In addition to the exhibition, IREIS 2026 will host a high-level conference featuring government officials, industry experts, economists, and financial leaders. Discussions will focus on topics such as the future of real estate investment, Abu Dhabi’s expanding role as a regional investment hub, banking sector developments, sustainable infrastructure, fractional ownership models, PropTech innovations, foreign direct investment, economic diversification, UAE-Europe investment corridors, and the future of real estate brokerage.
The event aligns with the UAE’s broader goals of attracting global investment, fostering economic diversification, and enhancing collaboration among developers, financial institutions, and international investors. Aurn Bose, a representative of IREIS, highlighted the exhibition’s role as a prominent real estate marketplace in the UAE, noting the increasing participation of Abu Dhabi investors across the country and the emirate’s growing appeal to developers. He emphasized that IREIS 2026 will serve as a comprehensive platform to support sales, investment growth, and strategic partnerships within the UAE’s dynamic real estate sector.