Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is bringing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the Middle East with a major new expansion. This will be the first Harry Potter-themed land not built by Universal, making it a landmark project for both the franchise and the UAE.
The new area will span around 40,000 square meters, or roughly nine acres, and include three rides, as well as themed shops and restaurants. The entire land will be fully indoors, matching the rest of Warner Bros. World’s climate-controlled environment on Yas Island.
Construction underway
Construction work has already begun near the southern edge of the existing park. Site preparation is in progress, with firms Egis and EllisDon leading the design and project management, respectively. While no official opening date has been confirmed, the new land is expected to debut between 2027 and 2028.
A Harry Potter land without Universal
Unlike previous Wizarding World lands in Florida, Japan, and Beijing, which were developed by Universal, this expansion is fully independent. That means no Forbidden Journey or Escape from Gringotts clones, everything will be original to Abu Dhabi.
This marks a new chapter for Warner Bros. as it explores ways to bring its most valuable live-action IP to life in theme parks beyond the traditional Universal framework.
A growing destination
The new Harry Potter land will become the first live-action zone at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2018. The current park is divided into six themed lands based on animated and comic book characters, including Gotham City, Cartoon Junction, and Dynamite Gulch.
The expansion also reinforces Yas Island’s status as a rising entertainment hub. Alongside Warner Bros., the island features Ferrari World, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, and the upcoming Disney Abu Dhabi, all part of the UAE’s long-term tourism strategy.
A major investment in magic
The Harry Potter land represents a massive commitment, with an estimated budget between $545 and $816 million. That makes it one of the most expensive theme park projects in the region—and even more costly than some of Universal’s Wizarding World lands.
Once complete, the expansion is expected to become a major draw for visitors across the Middle East and beyond, offering a fresh take on the Wizarding World for fans who may never have experienced it in the U.S. or Japan.
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