THE MIDDLE EAST’S LARGEST OUTDOOR VENUE IS RENAMED ETIHAD PARK

by Suman Gupta

Mumbai,May 2021: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Yas Island’s custom-built open-air venue is now known as Etihad Park as part of a larger partnership deal announced between Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and Flash Entertainment, the region’s leading entertainment company.

The newly named venue is the latest addition to Etihad’s growing list of sponsored entertainment hubs, following the introduction of Etihad Arena earlier this year.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group said: “Expanding our portfolio of Abu Dhabi partners to further promote Yas Island as a leisure destination is an honour. Etihad Park is testament to our commitment in positioning the UAE capital as a worldclass entertainment hub and marries well with our existing sponsorship of Etihad Arena and the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix. 

“Following government safety guidelines in response to the Covid pandemic, we look forward to jointly announcing with Flash Entertainment, an exciting calendar of events.”

The Etihad Park, formerly du Arena, is the largest outdoor venue in the Middle East and is owned by Flash Entertainment. The venue is home to the region’s largest, premium sporting and music events, situated at the heart of Abu Dhabi’s F1® track, Yas Marina Circuit.

John Lickrish, Chief Executive Officer, Flash Entertainment, said: “As leaders in the region’s entertainment sector, we are delighted to have once again partnered with Etihad Airways in another landmark naming rights agreement. As the largest outdoor entertainment venue in the region, the 40,000 capacity arena has welcomed over 1.5million fans since 2009, and hosted some of the biggest international A-list stars during events such as the Yasalam After-Race Concerts held over the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend.”  

“The versatility and size of the venue means that it can host global superstars such as Coldplay, Beyonce and The Killers, and large-scale family and culinary events in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s entertainment hub – Yas Island. At Flash Entertainment, we are working hard to ensure the safe return of live events and look forward to welcoming fans to the Etihad Park soon.”

Etihad Park is located close to Etihad Arena which is set in a stunning waterfront location on Yas Island. The 18,000 capacity multi-purpose arena provides Abu Dhabi with year-round event space for sports, entertainment and MICE events.

About Flash Entertainment: Flash Entertainment is the Middle East’s leading entertainment company, pioneering the future of events and experiences across sporting events, music concerts, community events and more.  Since launching in 2008, Flash Entertainment has built a peerless global reputation by always putting fans first – hosting hundreds of major concerts, major sporting events and community and cultural events across thousands of event days for more than 8.5 million people.

A key partner in the development of Abu Dhabi tourism, Flash Entertainment is leading the region’s rapidly changing entertainment landscape, bringing unmissable and unique moments to employees, fans and partners.

Flash Entertainment manages a multi-million-dirham portfolio of assets, including Etihad Park and Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

About Yas Island: Yas Island is one of the world’s fastest growing leisure and entertainment destinations, located on the golden shores of Abu Dhabi – just 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 50 minutes from Dubai.  Yas Island offers holiday makers a diverse mix of award-winning leisure and entertainment experiences, from one-of-a-kind theme parks, world-class shopping and superb dining, to a links golf course, exciting water and motor sports, and spectacular musical, entertainment and family events… all within the 25 sq km Island.   Today, Yas Island is home to the award-winning theme parks Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the record-breaking CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit (home to the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX™), Yas Marina, the award-winning Yas Links golf course, as well as Abu Dhabi’s largest mall, Yas Mall.  With eight hotels, including W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Crowne Plaza Yas Island Abu Dhabi, Yas Island Rotana, Centro Yas Island by Rotana, Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island and Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi Yas Island,  plus more than 165 dining experiences, the destination also features indoor and outdoor concert venues including MAD and Etihad Arena – all of which are complemented by a range of visitor services that connect all attractions to one another.