Etihad Arena has announced a partnership with District by Zomato, the ‘going out’ platform, marking a new chapter in how audiences discover and access experiences in Abu Dhabi.
“The goal was to expand Etihad Arena’s global reach and event-discovery opportunities by partnering with District by Zomato, a “going out” discovery platform. The mandate centered on supporting increased visitor footfall to Yas Island and contributing to Abu Dhabi’s wider tourism economy through expanded audiences,” says Marcus Osborne, General Manager at Etihad Arena.
District by Zomato enables consumers to discover their city through experiences spanning across dining, live entertainment, attractions, and live activities. The collaboration represents a strategic step in Etihad Arena’s continued growth, expanding its global reach by offering a new discovery experience, and while supporting increased visitor footfall to Yas Island.
“The thinking was to meet fans where their social planning already happens. In the UAE, where social life seamlessly blends dining, entertainment, and culture, the collaboration represents a natural evolution of the consumer journey, engaging fans during their discovery phase and facilitating a smoother transition from social planning to live event attendance,” says Osborne.
The first target group will be global and international visitors, as well as fans that Etihad Arena is looking to reach as part of its continued growth. The second is District’s existing user base, people already using the platform to discover dining, entertainment, and lifestyle experiences in Abu Dhabi, who can now – through this partnership- be converted into arena ticket-buyers.
Through this collaboration, District will complement Etihad Arena’s existing ticketing ecosystem, enabling discovery and access to live experiences at the venue to its user base.
Osborne said, “As we continue to grow our global audience, partnerships like this play an important role in reaching new audiences and supporting Abu Dhabi’s wider tourism ambitions. Together, we can strengthen our offering and continue delivering world-class experiences to audiences in the UAE and beyond.”
Kunal Khambhati, Founder & COO – Events, District by Zomato, said, “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Etihad Arena, one of the region’s most exciting live entertainment destinations. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for District as we continue to redefine the live events experience across the UAE. Etihad Arena has established itself as a premier home for exceptional entertainment, and together, we’re committed to delivering world-class, fan-first experiences.”
As Etihad Arena continues to build on its momentum as a leading destination for live entertainment, the partnership with District strengthens its ability to connect global audiences to Abu Dhabi’s growing calendar of events.