Shakira, Christina Aguilera Concerts in Abu Dhabi Cancelled Amid US-Iran War
Organisers said tickets will be refunded as regional uncertainty and logistics pressures force the UAE live-events industry to cut costs and lean on local demand.
- On Tuesday, August 18, organizers announced the cancellation of the Offlimits music festival headlined by Shakira and Christina Aguilera's September 25 concert at Etihad Arena, vowing to refund tickets.
- Cosmin Ivan, chief executive of Platinumlist, cited logistical and transportation challenges as the driving factor, while the United Arab Emirates suspended trade with Iran following recent missile attacks, creating broader regional uncertainty.
- During the Middle East Event Show in Dubai, industry leaders including James Payne, acting chief executive of Electra, discussed the pressure of balancing budgets while managing cash flow amid cyclical economic disruptions.
- Other entertainment sectors remain resilient, with sports ticket prices rising 200 per cent and Indian-focused events in the UAE growing nearly 10-fold since 2021 as promoters adjust to local audiences.
- Organizers intend to bring the Offlimits community back in 2027, as the sector adapts to a fundamental shift toward local audiences who now drive demand for live events across the UAE.
23 Articles
23 Articles
The organizers of two festivals in Abu Dhabi, where the Colombian star Shakira and American singer Christina Aguilera would present themselves, announced the cancellation of the events, while the country suffers the impacts of the war in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates remains the main target of the retail attacks in Tehran since the beginning of the joint offensive of the United States and Israel against Iran on 28 February. The Gulf …
Both events had already been postponed due to the impact of the war on the security situation and air traffic.
Security concerns force cancellation of Shakira, Christina Aguilera events in Abu Dhabi
Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer August 20, 2026 DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Two major music events featuring global superstars Shakira and Christina Aguilera have been cancelled in Abu Dhabi, as […] The post Security concerns force cancellation of Shakira, Christina Aguilera events in Abu Dhabi appeared first on Philippine Canadian Inquirer.
The organizers of two festivals in Abu Dhabi, where they were going to sing Colombian star Shakira and American star Christina Aguilera, announced the cancellation on the background of the ongoing war in the Middle East.
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