Heritage-rich UAE venues in OVG-Ethara fold

Article posted by Coliseum, October 3^rd, 2024

Image: Ethara

The professional sports company Oak View Group (OVG) and Ethara have announced the addition of two iconic venues to their portfolios: The Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and House of Sustainability (formerly the UAE Pavilion) in Expo City Dubai (a future-centric mini-City) (UAE).

‘zawya.com’ stated that this expansion follows the announcement in 2023 that would see the partners transform the venue and hospitality industry in the region under OVG Middle East and marks a pivotal moment for the two entities as they seek to strengthen their presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The Oak View Group, LLC (OVG) is an American professional sports and commercial real estate company based in Denver. It manages several sports venues, including the 18,300-capacity Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington (US) which was constructed under the company’s supervision.

The Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents.

Abu Dhabi (UAE)-based Ethara is setting the standard of excellence in entertainment, sport, culture, event services, and asset management regionally and internationally. With offices throughout the region, the company employs over 300 professionals who offer an unrivaled wealth of expertise, experience, knowledge, and skills. Ethara, meaning ‘thrill’ in Arabic, manages an impressive portfolio of assets, including the 60,000-capacity Yas Marina Circuit (Abu Dhabi, UAE), the 25,000-capacity Etihad Park in Abu Dhabi, the 18,000-capacity Etihad Arena, and the 1200-capacity Yas Conference Centre. The company works with the leading events companies, the intellectual property (IP) owners and the entertainment partners locally and internationally to deliver world-class, first-to-market events and experiences.

Located in the heart of the nearly 500-acre exhibition area, the UAE Pavilion features 8,000 square meters of exhibition space where visitors get immersed in a multisensory experience.

‘zawya.com’ quoted Jessica Koravos, President of OVG International, as stating, “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 the 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 the world-class facilities throughout the region.”

The UAE House of Sustainability is a public space in the Green Zone at Expo City Dubai that was featured at COP28. The House of Sustainability had three main areas and a nearby programing space called the Actionists Hub. The Actionists Hub hosted workshops, presentations, fireside chats, and documentaries.

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), more commonly known as COP28, was the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference held from November 30^th-December 13^th at Expo City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in 1992 with the ultimate aim of preventing dangerous human interference with the climate system.

Added David Powell, Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer (BDO), Ethara, “Ethara has a legacy of operating four of the region’s most iconic and groundbreaking venues in Yas Marina Circuit, the Etihad Arena, the Etihad Park, and the Yas Conference Centre – which have each helped shape the event and venue industry in the region over the last 16 years. Through our partnership with the OVG, we look forward to integrating the 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.”

The Zayed Sports City has long been a cornerstone of Abu Dhabi’s sporting and entertainment landscape. It features a diverse range of facilities, including the 43,206-capacity Zayed Sports City Stadium, the 5,000-capacity International Tennis Centre, the 1000-capacity Khalifa International Bowling Centre, the 1280-capacity Zayed Sports City Ice Rink, and the Mubadala Pavilion (indoor event space).

The venue has hosted prestigious events such as the Mubadala World Tennis Championships (men’s and women’s singles exhibition tournament), the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA – the principal organizing body of women’s professional tennis)-sanctioned Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, five editions of the FIFA Club World Cup™ (an international men’s association football competition), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC – the governing body of association football, beach soccer and futsal in most countries and territories in Asia) Asian Cup (a quadrennial football tournament that determines the continental champion of Asia), the UAE National Day celebrations, and notable visits including that by Pope Francis and the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

Its comprehensive facilities cater to community activities, professional sports and world-class events which will see the Zayed Sports City Stadium host four shows on Coldplay’s (British rock band) ‘Music of the Spheres’ World Tour on January 9^th, 11^th, 12^th, and 14^th, 2025, the International Tennis Centre will host the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open from February 1^st-8^th, 2025 alongside other large sporting and community events.

The House of Sustainability, formerly the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, stands as a symbol of innovation and sustainability. Designed by Santiago Calatrava (Spanish Architect and Structural Engineer), it offers 8,000 square meters of exhibition space and continues to play a central role in Expo City Dubai. The venue’s transition from Expo 2020 to its current role underscores its significance as a hub for sustainability and architectural excellence.

Heritage-rich

A ‘LinkedIn Post By Ethara’ stated, “Ethara and the Oak View Group (OVG) proudly announce that they will operate the Zayed Sports City and the House of Sustainability as OVG Middle East. The two iconic UAE venues embody excellence in their respective domains with the 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.”

The ‘LinkedIn Post By Ethara’ further stated, “This expansion follows the announcement in 2023 that would see the partners transform the venue and hospitality industry in the region under OVG Middle East and marks a pivotal moment for the two entities as they seek to strengthen their presence in the MENA region.”

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