Everything We Know About the Abu Dhabi Harry Potter Expansion

Harry Potter fans have a reason to be excited, a major Harry Potter-themed land is coming to Abu Dhabi as part of the existing Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi theme park. While details are still emerging, this project marks a unique evolution of the Wizarding World experience outside Universal’s parks. 

Here’s what we currently know about the expansion, the rides, the timelines, and what it could mean for fans in the Middle East and beyond.

 What Is the Abu Dhabi Harry Potter Expansion?

In November 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery and Miral (the owner/operator of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi) officially announced that a Harry Potter themed land would be built at the park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. This will be the first Wizarding World experience developed outside the Universal Studios portfolio. 

Unlike the Wizarding World lands at Universal parks (such as Universal Orlando and Universal Japan), which are built and operated by Universal Destinations & Experiences, the Abu Dhabi version will be designed and operated directly under the Warner Bros./Miral partnership. That means the rides and experiences will be brand-new and unique to this park. 

Expansion Scope & Construction

Size and Investment

• The expansion is expected to cover about 40,000 square metres — nearly 10 acres of new themed space. 

• Estimated construction costs are projected at roughly AED 2–3 billion (about USD 545–816 million)

Rides and Experiences

Reports indicate that the Harry Potter land will include:

• Three new themed rides, developed specifically for this park rather than copied from Universal’s existing designs. T

• Retail outlets and themed food & beverage experiences to match the immersive environments fans expect from a Wizarding World. 

Because Warner Bros. doesn’t hold the same ride rights Universal does, the attractions won’t be the same as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or Escape From Gringotts but that also means there’s room for new storytelling and experiences exclusive to Abu Dhabi. 

Construction Status

• Miral has issued tenders for the main construction works, and early enabling work has started. 

• Bid deadlines and contractor selection have been extended, indicating active progress toward building the land. 

When Could It Open?

No official opening date has yet been confirmed. However:

• Industry reports and tender timelines suggest a possible opening window between 2026 and 2027 if construction continues on schedule. 

Keep in mind that large themed expansions often experience timeline changes, and Miral has stated that it will share project updates as milestones are reached. 

How This Differs From Universal’s Wizarding World

Most existing Wizarding World lands are located in Universal parks (e.g., Universal Orlando, Universal Japan, Universal Florida). Those parks are licensed experiences with specific ride designs and storytelling tied to Universal Creative. 

The Abu Dhabi expansion is unique because:

• It’s not part of Universal Studios

• Warner Bros. and Miral are creating original rides and experiences

• It may explore new settings and elements from the Wizarding World beyond the classic Hogsmeade/Diagon Alley formula seen in Universal parks.

That makes this one of the most intriguing global theme park projects in recent years  especially for fans who want something new rather than a replica of existing lands.

Here’s what we know right now:

• A Harry Potter themed land is officially coming to Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. 

• It will include original rides and immersive locations, not copies of Universal attractions. 

• The project covers about 40,000 square metres and could open as early as 2026–2027, though no date is confirmed.

• This will be the first Wizarding World experience outside Universal parks  a true milestone. 

Stay tuned for updates as more details are revealed — and if you’re a Harry Potter fan planning a UAE trip, this could soon be reason enough to visit Abu Dhabi.