Abu Dhabi's OFFLIMITS Music Festival cancelled after second postponement

Abu Dhabi's OFFLIMITS Music Festival cancelled after second postponement

Abu Dhabi's OFFLIMITS Music Festival has been cancelled, organisers announced on social media, ending plans for what would have been the event's second edition.

The festival, which was set to feature Shakira and the Jonas Brothers as headliners, had already been moved from its original April 4 date to November 21 at Etihad Park on Yas Island. No specific reason was given for the cancellation, though organisers said they look forward to bringing the festival back in 2027.

Ticket holders will receive refund information directly from their original ticketing platform, with the festival team providing support where needed.

A short-lived festival with ambitious plans

The cancellation marks an abrupt end for a festival that launched just last year. OFFLIMITS debuted in April 2025 with Ed Sheeran headlining a bill that included OneRepublic, Faithless, Kaiser Chiefs and Artbat. That inaugural edition drew 32,000 attendees to Etihad Park, billing itself as the UAE's first open-format music festival.

The 2026 lineup promised an even broader musical range. Shakira was bringing her record-breaking Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour to Abu Dhabi—a tour that has earned over $421.6 million across its first 86 concerts, setting a Guinness World Record as the highest-grossing Latin tour of all time. The Jonas Brothers, currently celebrating their 20th anniversary with a 90-concert tour across the Americas, were also set to perform.

Other confirmed acts included R&B star NE-YO, Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro, Icelandic blues-rock group KALEO, and indie acts Myles Smith, Scouting for Girls and Toploader.

Part of a turbulent year for UAE entertainment

The festival's cancellation comes after a challenging period for the UAE's live entertainment sector. Earlier this year, numerous concerts and events were postponed amid regional disruptions, with many organisers choosing to reschedule rather than cancel outright. Industry insiders had predicted that the backlog of rescheduled shows could make late 2026 one of the busiest concert seasons the market has seen.

Etihad Park, the venue for OFFLIMITS, has established itself as the region's premier outdoor concert space since opening in 2009. The site, which can accommodate up to 40,000 people, has hosted major international acts including Madonna, Coldplay, The Rolling Stones, Eminem, Rihanna and The Weeknd. In June, the venue was renamed Etihad Live, with owner Ethara announcing plans for a multimillion-dirham renovation in 2027 focused on infrastructure and audience experience.

Despite the setback, organisers remain committed to reviving OFFLIMITS next year, though specific dates and lineup details have yet to be announced.