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Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi named top global theme park
Yas Island attraction wins 2026 Liseberg Applause Award
Warner Bros World Yas Island has won the 2026 Liseberg Applause Award, becoming the first Middle East theme park to receive the industry honour, developer Miral confirmed.
Organised by Sweden’s Liseberg theme park, the Applause Award has recognised achievements in management, operations and creative development since 1980. Only 22 parks worldwide have received the accolade to date, with just one winner selected per award cycle. Previous recipients include Universal Studios Japan in 2025, Tokyo DisneySea in 2022 and Xcaret Park in Mexico in 2018.
The award was presented during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Honours gala in Xcaret, Mexico, and accepted by Hind Galadari, General Manager of Warner Bros World, and Daniel Wills, Executive Director, Projects Delivery at Miral.
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Dr Mohammad Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, said, “For Miral, this accolade is a testament to our ongoing efforts in further positioning Yas Island as a top global destination for leisure and entertainment, while contributing to achieving Abu Dhabi’s 2030 tourism vision.”
Developed in partnership with Warner Bros Discovery Global Experiences, the attraction opened in 2018 and remains the region’s largest indoor theme park, featuring six themed lands, rides and live entertainment.
Yas Island recorded a 9% year-on-year rise in visits during summer 2025, with August marking its busiest month on record. The destination is also expanding its attraction lineup with several international entertainment brands. A key future project is Disneyland Abu Dhabi, set to open in the 2030s, marking the company’s first-ever theme park in the Middle East.
Other major developments include Sphere Abu Dhabi, a US$1.7 billion entertainment venue scheduled to open in 2029, becoming the first Sphere outside the US.
Sports attractions, such as Top Golf Dubai, are expanding in Abu Dhabi, with Topgolf Yas Island set to launch later this year, featuring 82 hitting bays, lounge areas and multiple dining venues.
For more information, visit miral.ae
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