The festival is expected to return next year
The OFFLIMITS Music Festival 2026 has been cancelled, with organisers confirming the event will no longer take place at Etihad Park on Yas Island this year.
The festival was originally scheduled for 4 April 2026, before being postponed to 21 November 2026 due to the prevailing situation in the UAE.
It was set to return this November with a full day of music and entertainment, featuring a line-up of superstar artists and top-class performances.
However, organisers have now confirmed that the 2026 edition will not go ahead.
Fans who purchased tickets will receive an automatic refund through the original ticketing platform they used to purchase their tickets.
Ticket holders will also receive further information about the refund process directly from the platform.
While this year’s festival won’t happen, OFFLIMITS is expected to return in 2027, with more details to be announced.
Who was on the original OFFLIMITS 2026 lineup?
Shakira
Returning to Abu Dhabi as the headline act, Shakira sets the tone for 2026. The global superstar brings her iconic energy, chart-topping hits, and magnetic stage presence, ensuring an unforgettable start to the festival.
Jonas Brothers
American pop trio Jonas Brothers, Nick, Joe, and Kevin, join the lineup on the T11 Stage. With over 20 million albums sold worldwide, 26 Billboard Hot 100 hits, and multiple GRAMMY® nominations, the trio is one of the most successful pop acts of the 21st century. Expect their signature high-energy performance and fan-favourite anthems.
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Ne-Yo
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Three-time GRAMMY award-winner R&B artist NE-YO will also perform, bringing hits like So Sick, Sexy Love, and Closer to the stage. With over 23 billion streams worldwide, the singer-songwriter delivers instantly recognisable tracks that have shaped modern R&B.
Myles Smith
Rising British pop star Myles Smith adds fresh energy to the festival, boasting over one billion global streams. His breakout hit, Stargazing, spent 12 weeks in the UK Top 10, and sold-out shows across North America underline his growing international profile.
Biffy Clyro & KALEO
Rock fans will be treated to Biffy Clyro, Scottish stadium favourites known for explosive live shows and anthems like Many of Horror and Mountains, alongside Icelandic blues-rock trailblazers KALEO, whose hits include Way Down We Go and No Good.
Arabic talent: Bayou & Yara Mustafa
OFFLIMITS continues to champion regional talent. Bayou, the Egyptian R&B and pop sensation, and Jordanian singer Yara Mustafa showcase contemporary Arabic music alongside the festival’s international acts.
Indie and pop additions
UK indie-pop favourites Scouting for Girls (She’s So Lovely) and Toploader (Dancing in the Moonlight) bring timeless hits to the Meteor Stage, joined by London-born newcomer YAZ, whose viral tracks and relatable lyricism have earned her a growing digital following.
OFFLIMITS 2026 tickets
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Tickets are on sale from the event’s official website, starting from AED495, and AED995 for Golden Circle, which includes front row viewing and priority entry. Presale and phase one tickets are already sold out, so you better act quickly.
OFFLIMITS 2026 promises to be a festival for discovery, connecting audiences with new sounds, artists, and experiences while celebrating creativity without boundaries.
With multiple stages, immersive installations, and a lineup that spans global hits and rising stars, this is Abu Dhabi’s can’t-miss music event of the year.
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