The International Real Estate and Investment Show (IREIS) 2026 will returns to Abu Dhabi next month bringing together leading property developers, investors, real estate experts and homebuyers for one of the UAE’s most prominent dedicated real estate sales exhibitions.
The news comes as Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a global investment destination, supported by economic diversification, population growth, major infrastructure development and long-term development strategies.
The UAE capital's total real estate transaction value for the first nine months soared to AED175.7 billion ($48 billion), according to Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC).
The emirate’s expanding business, tourism, cultural and lifestyle ecosystem is generating new demand for residential, commercial, hospitality and mixed-use real estate.
Residential unit sales in Abu Dhabi reached AED70.4 billion in the first six months of 2026, with off-plan accounting for 89% of sales value. Ten leading developers accounted for 90% of off-plan primary sales at AED51 billion, and 10 projects accounted for 43% of residential unit sales at AED30 billion. In the ready market, 61% of purchases were completed in cash, stated ADREC.
Emirati buyers committed AED21 billion, against AED8.9 billion in H1 2025, while resident expatriates and non-resident foreign buyers together accounted for 70% of residential sales value.
Hudayriyat Island recorded AED19 billion, 27% of residential sales value, followed by Saadiyat Island at AED13.3 billion, Al Reem Island and Al Maryah Island (operated by the Abu Dhabi Global Market area) at AED10.5 billion, and Yas Island at AED7.3 billion.
Residential supply in Abu Dhabi reaches approximately 409,000 units, with 71,000 additional units projected by 2030 and deliveries peaking in 2028, according to ADREC.
Around 7,562 to 8,000 residential units are scheduled for completion across 2026, with activity heavily back-loaded toward the second half of the year.
As many as 233,000 active residential lease contracts were recorded across the emirate, with lease values reaching AED9.3 billion in the first half of 2026.
On top of these, the total value of ongoing infrastructure and development projects managed by the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) exceeds AED200 billion across more than 600 active projects.
These projects, along with the multi-billion dollar mega projects announced by developers in recent months, will create massive opportunities for buyers and investors as well as contractors and suppliers, change the economic landscape of Abu Dhabi – the economic powerhouse of the Middle East.
Leading property developers and other stakeholders are joining IREIS 2026, as investor confidence strengthens in UAE’s real estate, said the event organisers . Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) joins IREIS as its Official Knowledge Partner while Emirates Development, Aqaar and Al Rasikhoon Real Estate partners with IREIS as Gold Sponsor, D’Souza Holding as Platinum Sponsor in addition to Silver Sponsors Azizi Developments, Ellington Properties, Dugasta Properties, Zimaya Properties and Capstone Real Estate and Vertix Holding reaffirming commitment as Strategic Partner of IREIS 2026.
IREIS 2026 will also be hosting a series of interesting conversation under its busy conference agenda, supported by Conference Partner Knight Frank, which will focus on Proptech, Artificial Intelligence and innovation in real estate and construction.
AI Partnership Forum
A key highlight will be the AI Partnership Forum, a major conference session investment and networking platform connecting the companies developing real estate, the institutions financing it, the investors allocating capital and the technologies transforming the entire property lifecycle at IREIS 2026, said the organisers.
Conversation will examine how AI and high-quality data are changing the way investors discover, evaluate and manage real estate opportunities.
In addition to Abu Dhabi, Dubai continues to attract significant international interest through its diverse pipeline of residential, commercial and mixed-use developments, while Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah are gaining attention for their competitive pricing, waterfront communities, hospitality projects and lifestyle developments.
Together, these markets are creating a broader range of opportunities for investors seeking diversification across the UAE. Developers will promote their projects spread across all over the UAE, it added.
The success of IREIS 2025 reflected the continued strength of the UAE’s real estate sector. The previous edition featured developers representing an active project pipeline valued at approximately AED2.78 trillion, with participating companies presenting projects from across the UAE and offering exhibition-only incentives, project launches, flexible payment plans and on-site booking opportunities.
