The Phantom of the Opera 2027 in Abu Dhabi

The Phantom of the Opera 2027 in Abu Dhabi brings Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best-known musical to Etihad Arena on Yas Island for a three-week run from Wednesday 10 to Sunday 28 March 2027. It is the show’s Abu Dhabi debut, and it lands in the year the musical marks 40 years since its West End premiere.

The run was first announced with 13 performances, including afternoon and evening shows on Saturdays and Sundays, and reports have since said extra performances have been added. Show times vary by date, so check the time on your chosen performance.

The story

Based on Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel, The Phantom of the Opera follows a mysterious masked figure who lives in the depths beneath the Paris Opera House and rules over everyone who works there. He becomes captivated by Christine Daaé, a young soprano in the chorus, and devotes himself to nurturing her extraordinary voice, using every devious method he can. When Christine falls for Raoul, a childhood friend, the Phantom’s love turns to obsession, and the opera house becomes the stage for a story of passion, jealousy and secrets.

Forty years of the Phantom

The musical opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End on 9 October 1986, and the London production is still running. It reached Broadway in 1988 and became the longest-running show in Broadway history, with almost 14,000 performances, before closing there in April 2023. Around the world, it has been seen by more than 160 million people in dozens of countries.

The UAE has met the Phantom before: the musical played Dubai Opera in 2019. This time it moves to the capital and, for the first time, into an arena rather than a traditional theatre, which makes Etihad Arena’s staging one to watch for fans who know the show well.

The music

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score is the reason many people come back to this show again and again. Listen out for:

• “The Phantom of the Opera”, the title duet with its famous pounding organ riff.
• “The Music of the Night”, the Phantom’s seductive solo.
• “All I Ask of You”, the soaring love duet for Christine and Raoul.
• “Think of Me”, the aria that first reveals Christine’s talent.
• “Masquerade”, the big ensemble number that opens the second act.

If you only know the songs from cast recordings, seeing them in context, with the chandelier, the lake beneath the opera house and the masquerade ball, is a very different experience.

Who it suits and choosing seats

This is a show for musical theatre fans, couples looking for a special night out and families with older children. The age rules are clear: children aged five and under are not admitted, everyone aged six and over needs their own ticket, and guests under 16 must be with an adult aged 21 or over. Staff may ask for photo ID and the credit card used for the booking.

Seating runs across seven tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond, Platinum, VIP and Royal, and both weekday and weekend performances are available. Accessible seating is offered for guests with disabilities or other access needs, but it must be booked specifically through the accessible ticket option.

At the arena

• Doors open an hour before the show, and seating opens 30 minutes before curtain up.
• The auditorium locks at the start of each act. Latecomers are seated at management’s discretion at a suitable break.
• Photography and video, including on phones, are not allowed during the performance, and professional cameras are banned.
• Bags larger than 30 x 30 x 15 cm are not permitted, and there is no cloakroom or storage.
• Strollers cannot go inside, but stroller parking is available.
• Flags of any kind are not permitted, payments are contactless only, and re-entry is not allowed.
• Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable and non-exchangeable.

There is no formal dress code, but guests are asked to behave in line with UAE traditions and culture, and many people treat a night at the Phantom as a chance to dress up.

Getting there from Abu Dhabi or Dubai

From central Abu Dhabi, take Sheikh Zayed Road and follow the signs to Yas Island and Etihad Arena; the nearest bus stop is Al Matar Al Qadeem, about 800 metres away. Etihad Arena has outdoor waterfront parking about seven minutes’ walk from the entrance, plus underground parking with direct access to the venue.

From Dubai, Yas Island is about 113 km away, roughly 70 minutes’ drive in light traffic, and arena guidance is to set off at least two hours before the show. Intercity buses run from Al Ghubaiba and Ibn Battuta to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, with city route 102 continuing to Yas Island, while Etihad Rail links Al Yalayis in Dubai with Mohamed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi in about an hour, leaving a short taxi ride to the arena.

See more musicals and plays in our shows and theatre guide, plan a weekend with things to do in Abu Dhabi, or check what else is on in March.