News you might have missed in Abu Dhabi | 16 September 2026
Kids imagining Abu Dhabi’s future, free Arabic classes, a new heritage book, and a first look at Etihad’s new cabins. Here’s what you might have missed this week.
LIVEX invites Abu Dhabi kids to imagine the city’s future
Young residents across Abu Dhabi can now put their ideas for the capital of tomorrow on paper, in clay, LEGO, or even video, through Imagine What’s Next by LIVEX.
They can choose to imagine the happiest street in the world, create their family’s favourite spot, or picture Abu Dhabi when they’re grown up. Submissions are open until September 18.
Every artwork submitted will be featured in the Imagine What’s Next digital mural and showcased at ADNEC during LIVEX from September 29 to October 1.
Where: ADNEC Abu Dhabi
When: Entry Deadline - September 18, 2026
Share your artwork here
Free Arabic classes for Abu Dhabi residents
If you’ve been meaning to brush up on your Arabic, there’s now a free way to get started.
Zayed House for Islamic Culture is hosting complimentary classes with a programme that covers five levels, so you can start with the basics or build on what you already know. Across 80 hours of lessons, you’ll work on reading, writing, listening, and speaking, with classes created specifically for non-Arabic speakers.
Classes run for five months and you can attend in person or online through Microsoft Teams. There’s no cost to enrol, and you’ll receive a certificate after completing the programme.
To sign up, log in to TAMM with your UAE Pass or visit a Zayed House for Islamic Culture service centre. You’ll receive the course details by email after applying.
Register here
Archives of Tomorrow at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair
Abu Dhabi’s buildings and landmarks are getting their own book. Archives of Tomorrow, launched at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, features photographs, artwork, and stories exploring the architecture, sites, and urban landscapes that have become part of Abu Dhabi over the years.
It’s bilingual, in Arabic and English, with work by photographers, artists, and other specialists. You’ll get a closer look at the places and details that have helped define the capital, along with the stories behind them.
A limited-edition print has launched first, with a wider edition due later this year at selected bookshops, museum shops, cultural outlets, and events around the emirate.
Jujhar Singh is back in Abu Dhabi for Power Slap 25
Jujhar Singh is heading back to Abu Dhabi for Power Slap 25 on October 23, almost a year after becoming the first Indian striker to win at a Power Slap event in the capital.
He’ll take on undefeated British heavyweight Louis Robinson at Space42 Arena. Singh is 1-0 in Power Slap, while Robinson is 2-0, with both of his wins coming by knockout.
Fans travelling from India can also get complimentary UAE entry visas if they’re eligible and book an Abu Dhabi holiday of at least three consecutive nights through participating travel partners.
Where: Space42 Arena
When: Friday, October 23, 2026
Book your spot here
Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup returns in January 2027
Got an aspiring footballer at home? The Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup is back at Zayed Sports City from January 8 to 10, 2027, bringing teams from the UAE and around the world to the capital.
There’ll be three days of football on the pitch, with young players taking on teams from different countries across eight age groups, from U8 to U16. The 2027 edition also includes girls’ U12, U14, and U16 categories.
There’s also a prize up for grabs, with the winning teams from each age group entered into a draw for an all-expenses-paid trip to a City Football Group academy.
When: 8 - 10 January 2027
Sign up here
TERRA postponed to April 2027
TERRA, the World Congress on Earthen Architecture, has a new date. The event, which was due to take place in Al Ain this year, will now run from April 19 to 22, 2027.
Over four days, there’ll be talks, presentations, side events, and activities looking at earthen architecture and cultural landscapes. You’ll get to see how the mudbrick buildings, old walls, and landscapes around Al Ain fit into the city’s history, and how they’re being looked after today.
It’s also the first time TERRA is being held in the Arab world. And there’s a pretty cool local connection: the event’s logo is inspired by the 3,000-year-old earthen walls at Hili 2, including the finger marks left by the people who built them.
More info here
Etihad is giving its cabins a new look
Etihad has some new cabin upgrades coming, with its new A330 set to enter service from September 2027 with redesigned First, Business, and Economy cabins.
If you’re flying First class, there’ll be just four suites in the cabin, each with a closing door, a 32-inch screen, wireless charging, and space to sit down for a meal with someone travelling with you.
Business gets 24 fully lie-flat seats, all with direct aisle access and sliding doors, so you won’t have to step over someone to get out.
Economy gets a few upgrades, too. There’ll be 13.3-inch 4K screens, personal charging, and new fixed-wing headrests. If you want a bit more room, 32 Extra Legroom seats will have four inches more space.
The new cabins also take a few cues from Abu Dhabi, with the design drawing on the emirate’s landscape and architecture. The same look will gradually make its way into more Etihad aircraft and lounges.
