Hans Zimmer brings The Next Level concert to Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena
Two-time Oscar winner Hans Zimmer performs at Etihad Arena on November 13, 2026, as part of Abu Dhabi Festival's 23rd edition. Tickets now available for the three-hour spectacular featuring his most iconic film scores.
Hans Zimmer brings The Next Level concert to Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena
Legendary film composer Hans Zimmer will bring his critically acclaimed live concert experience to Abu Dhabi on November 13, 2026, performing at Etihad Arena on Yas Island as part of his global The Next Level tour.
The performance is one of the headline events of the 23rd Abu Dhabi Festival, which runs from October 10 to December 19, 2026, under the theme 'The Wisdom of Culture'. This year's festival also marks the 30th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, the organization behind the annual cultural event since its establishment in 1996.
A Large-Scale Production
Zimmer will take the stage with more than 20 touring musicians, presenting a large-scale production that combines orchestral arrangements with electronic soundscapes, immersive lighting, and cutting-edge stage design. The approximately three-hour show, including an intermission, will feature music from some of cinema's most memorable films.
Award-Winning Composer
The composer's repertoire includes scores from The Lion King, Gladiator, Inception, Interstellar, The Dark Knight trilogy, Dune, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Zimmer has earned two Academy Awards for Best Original Score—first for The Lion King in 1995, then for Dune in 2022, a 27-year gap that represents the longest wait between wins in Oscar history for a composer. He has received 12 Oscar nominations throughout his career, along with multiple Grammy Awards.
European Success and Global Expansion
The Next Level tour has proven immensely popular across Europe, where it completed 50 sold-out performances across 17 countries by April 2026, drawing more than 600,000 fans to arenas throughout the continent. The production's arrival in Abu Dhabi continues the tour's momentum as it expands beyond European markets.
The Venue
Etihad Arena, the venue hosting Zimmer's performance, is the Middle East's largest multi-purpose indoor arena with a capacity of 18,000 people. The facility, designed by HOK architects and opened in January 2021, received the 2018 MENA Green Building Award for Sustainable Building Design of the Year.
Abu Dhabi's Cultural Profile
The concert reinforces Abu Dhabi's growing profile as a destination for world-class cultural and entertainment programming. The Abu Dhabi Festival has extended its reach internationally this year, with its Festival Abroad programme attracting more than 142,000 visitors across the United States, Korea, Austria, Spain, and Lebanon in 2026.
Tickets for Hans Zimmer Live are now available for purchase through Platinumlist and the Etihad Arena ticketing platform.
