The UAE’s retail landscape is gearing up for a major expansion in 2026, with authorities and developers announcing seven new malls across Dubai and beyond that promise fresh designs, community-centered spaces, outdoor leisure areas and wellness-led experiences. From next-generation indoor cities to forest-inspired retail hubs, the upcoming openings reflect a shift in how people will shop, dine and socialize across the country, blending lifestyle, leisure and scenic environments to appeal to families, residents and visitors alike.
The new venues set to reshape the shopping scene range from boutique community malls to expansive mixed-use destinations. These developments aim to offer everything from everyday essentials and family hangouts to dynamic lifestyle experiences, adding depth and variety to the UAE’s already vibrant retail offerings.
New mall openings in 2026:
• Sobha Mall (Dubai)
Located in Sobha Hartland, this community-focused mall will span roughly 339,000 sq ft and offer boutique shopping, a supermarket, gym, play courts, more than 10 dining spots, family areas and lifestyle spaces right where people live.
• Liwan Mall (Dubai)
Set in Wadi Al Safa 2 with about 113,674 sq ft of retail space, this boutique-style mall will showcase Spanish-inspired architecture, cafés, landscaped leisure areas and dining options, making shopping feel more like a full-day outing.
• Villa Square (Dubai)
Designed for families and wellbeing lovers in Wadi Al Safa 5, Villa Square blends open-air shopping with curated eateries, wellness areas and even a rooftop pool, offering a boutique experience away from the traditional big-box mall setup.
• South Bay Mall (Dubai South)
This upcoming mall will form part of the Dubai South community around a picturesque lagoon, featuring around 200,000 sq ft of retail, a premium food hall, two major stores, gym, clubhouse, spa and open-air walkways.
• Ghaf Woods Mall (Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road)
A first-of-its-kind forest-inspired mall being developed by Majid Al Futtaim with more than 30,000 trees integrated into the design, blending nature with retail, dining, leisure and lifestyle concepts.
• (Additional community-centric or lifestyle malls)
There are other planned retail destinations tied to mixed-use and community developments across the UAE that are anticipated to open in 2026, focusing on wellbeing, outdoor spaces and neighbourhood experiences, complementing the major mall expansions.
