By the Dubai Tech Insider Editorial Team · Last verified: 29 September 2026 · Updated as ADGM announces the agenda
Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2026 (ADFW 2026) takes place from 7–10 December 2026 at ADGM Square on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Registration is open, and tickets start at $500. The fifth edition of the UAE's largest finance conference features 75 events across eight stages, covering global markets, asset management, AI, fintech, digital assets and sustainable finance. Hub71's startup programme is part of it.
For founders, two things matter most:
- Day 3 (9 December) is the AI, fintech and digital-assets day.
- The whole week overlaps with GITEX Global and Expand North Star in Dubai.
This guide covers registration, tickets, the schedule, speakers, and a day-by-day plan for founders splitting December between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
ADFW 2026 at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | 7–10 December 2026 | Abu Dhabi Media Office |
| Venue | ADGM Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi | ADFW |
| Host | ADGM, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi | PR Newswire release |
| Edition | 5th | Abu Dhabi Media Office |
| Theme | The Capital Community, Powered by Partnerships | Abu Dhabi Media Office |
| Programme | 75 events across 8 stages, including 10 new events and platforms | Abu Dhabi Media Office |
| Confirmed leaders | 300+ representing more than US$61 trillion in assets (as of 24 September 2026) | Abu Dhabi Media Office |
| Ticket prices | Single Day $500 · RESOLVE $500 · Full Week $1,000 · Executive $10,000 (all incl. VAT) | ADFW tickets |
| Best day for tech startups | Day 3, 9 December: AI, fintech and digital assets (Fintech Abu Dhabi) | Abu Dhabi Media Office; ADFW tickets |
| Same-week clash | GITEX Global, 7–11 December, Expo City Dubai | GITEX |
What Is Abu Dhabi Finance Week?
ADFW is Abu Dhabi's flagship finance and investment week. It is organised by ADGM, the free zone and international financial centre on Al Maryah Island, which runs under English common law. The week brings together sovereign funds, global asset managers, banks, regulators, fintech companies and founders.
ADGM uses the event to announce new firms setting up in the financial centre, new regulatory frameworks and new partnerships.
The 2025 edition shows the scale. According to the ADFW 2025 wrap-up, it drew:
- more than 35,000 attendees from 175 nationalities
- 819 speakers across 68 events and 394 sessions
- 82 MoUs and partnerships
- institutions representing more than US$62 trillion in assets
Binance also received its ADGM licence during that week.
What's New in ADFW 2026
| ADFW 2025 | ADFW 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Events | 60 (announced); 68 (reported after the event) | 75 |
| Stages | 6 | 8 |
| New events and platforms | — | 10 |
| Theme | Engineering the Capital Network | The Capital Community, Powered by Partnerships |
| Assets represented | US$62T+ (final) | US$61T+ confirmed by 24 September 2026 |
Sources: Abu Dhabi Media Office, September 2026 and December 2025.
Why do the 2025 event counts differ? ADGM's pre-event announcement said 60 events. Its post-event wrap-up counted 68. The 2026 comparison uses the pre-event figure of 60, so the like-for-like growth is 60 to 75.
The 2026 programme also adds:
- Dedicated country dialogues covering China, South Korea, the European Union and the United States
- An expanded Global Financial Regulators Summit, with regulators from more than 50 countries expected
- The Arab Monetary Fund's Regional FinTech Working Group, convening at ADFW
- New collaborations with the IMF, the European Union, the Arab Monetary Fund, AIMA, the Atlantic Council, CNBC, Yicai and Semafor (ADGM release)
Dates and Venue
- When: Monday 7 to Thursday 10 December 2026
- Where: ADGM Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, the heart of the ADGM financial district
- Contact: support@adfw.com
ADFW's site has a "Getting to ADFW" page. Check it closer to the event for shuttle, parking and access details, which the organisers usually confirm in the final weeks.
ADFW 2026 Tickets and Registration
These are the prices on the official ADFW ticket page, checked on 29 September 2026. AED figures use the pegged rate of 3.6725.
| Pass | Price (incl. VAT) | Approx. AED | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Day | $500 | ~AED 1,836 | One flagship forum and its sub-events on 8, 9 or 10 December; Capital Vibes networking; live entertainment. Fintech Abu Dhabi holders may be able to access RESOLVE. |
| RESOLVE | $500 | ~AED 1,836 | The dispute resolution forum on 9 December and its sub-events, with optional access to Fintech Abu Dhabi |
| Full Week | $1,000 | ~AED 3,673 | All four days (7–10 December) and sub-events: Asset Abu Dhabi (8 Dec), Fintech Abu Dhabi (9 Dec), RESOLVE (9 Dec), Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (10 Dec), Day 1 special forums, a live broadcast of the opening ceremony, and two days of Capital Vibes networking |
| Executive | $10,000 | ~AED 36,725 | Invitation to the opening ceremony and opening night, access to the Abu Dhabi Economic Forum, all flagship forums, the Executive Lounge, premium networking and Michelin-star dining |
What the ticket page makes clear if you read it closely:
- A Single Day pass doesn't cover 7 December. It covers one flagship forum on 8, 9 or 10 December. Day 1 access comes with the Full Week or Executive pass.
- For AI and fintech founders, the Single Day pass for Fintech Abu Dhabi (9 December) is the lowest-cost relevant option. It may also give access to RESOLVE on the same day.
- The Full Week pass includes a live broadcast of the opening ceremony. An invitation to the ceremony itself comes with the Executive pass.
- The page lists no startup, student or government discount when we checked. Some attendees get access through speaking, partner or programme invitations, such as Hub71. Ask your ecosystem contacts before paying full price.
How to Register for Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2026
Registration runs through the official ADFW website.
If you're speaking, exhibiting or attending as part of a partner programme such as Hub71, ask the organiser which registration route applies before buying a ticket. For anything else, contact support@adfw.com.
ADFW 2026 Schedule: Which Day Is for Whom
ADGM has published a theme for each of the four days. The ticket page names each day's flagship forum. The "best for" column is our analysis.
| Day | Theme (ADGM) | Flagship Forum (Ticket Page) | Best For (Based on the Published Themes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1: Mon 7 Dec | Abu Dhabi's Falcon Economy, global markets, macroeconomic megatrends | Special forums to be announced; opening ceremony | Institutional investors, policymakers, sovereign and family office capital |
| Day 2: Tue 8 Dec | Asset management, private markets and wealth | Asset Abu Dhabi | Fund managers, LPs, wealth managers, private equity and credit |
| Day 3: Wed 9 Dec | AI, fintech, digital assets and financial innovation | Fintech Abu Dhabi; RESOLVE (dispute resolution) | AI and fintech founders, digital-asset firms, regulators, VCs backing fintech |
| Day 4: Thu 10 Dec | Sustainable finance, long-term economic and societal resilience | Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum | Climate-tech founders, ESG investors, energy-transition capital |
The full agenda grid isn't published yet. Session times and exact stages will appear on the ADFW agenda page as the event gets closer.
New Events and Platforms in 2026
ADGM said there would be 10 new events and platforms. Its 25 September release names nine:
| New Event | Partner Named | Most Relevant To |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Real Estate Summit | — | Proptech founders, real estate investors |
| AIMA Global Hedge Fund Leadership Platform | AIMA | Hedge funds and allocators |
| Health Finance & Innovation Forum | Atlantic Council | Healthtech founders, health investors |
| CNBC AI Capital Stack Summit | CNBC | AI founders and AI infrastructure investors |
| Next Three Billion Summit | Semafor | Consumer fintech and emerging-market founders |
| Treasury Leadership Forum | — | Corporate treasurers, payments and treasury-tech companies |
| US-UAE Trade Corridor Forum | — | Companies selling across the US–UAE corridor |
| Hub71 Growth Stage | Hub71 | Growth-stage startups and investors in Abu Dhabi's ecosystem |
| New Energy Finance | XRG | Energy-transition and climate-tech companies |
These sit alongside ADFW's established flagship events on global markets, asset management, fintech, AI and sustainable finance, plus the UBS Investor Forum. The release lists session topics including AI and financial markets, stablecoins, tokenisation, energy and the geopolitical investment landscape.
Why Day 3 (9 December) Matters for Startups
For Dubai Tech Insider readers, 9 December is the core day. The official theme is AI, fintech, digital assets and financial innovation. Fintech Abu Dhabi is that day's flagship forum.
In practice, three things make it useful to founders:
- Regulators are in the room. The Global Financial Regulators Summit is expanding to regulators from more than 50 countries, discussing tokenisation and regulatory innovation. The Arab Monetary Fund's Regional FinTech Working Group also convenes at ADFW. If you're building in payments, stablecoins or tokenisation, this is a rare chance to hear licensing direction first-hand.
- Digital-asset leaders are speaking. The first speaker announcement included Richard Teng (CEO, Binance), Pascal Gauthier (Chairman and CEO, Ledger), Lily Liu (President, Solana Foundation) and Charles Cascarilla (CEO, Paxos).
- It's the lowest-cost relevant ticket. A $500 Single Day pass for Fintech Abu Dhabi covers the day, and may give access to RESOLVE.
The CNBC AI Capital Stack Summit is AI-focused. ADGM hasn't published which day it runs, so check the agenda grid before choosing your day.
Speakers to Watch at ADFW 2026
By 13 August, ADFW had more than 200 confirmed speakers. By 24 September, more than 300 leaders representing over US$61 trillion in assets were confirmed. Grouped by relevance:
Speakers Founders Should Know
Roles are as listed by ADGM. The "why it matters" column is our editorial view.
| Speaker | Role | Why It Matters to Founders |
|---|---|---|
| H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi | Chairman, ADGM | Sets the direction for ADGM, the regulator and financial centre many UAE fintechs license with |
| Richard Teng | CEO, Binance | Binance became the first crypto exchange licensed under ADGM's framework during ADFW 2025. Watch for signals on digital-asset regulation |
| Charles Cascarilla | Co-Founder and CEO, Paxos | Stablecoins and tokenisation are on the 2026 agenda; relevant to payments and tokenisation founders |
| Lily Liu | President, Solana Foundation | Blockchain infrastructure and tokenisation perspective |
| Pascal Gauthier | Chairman and CEO, Ledger | Digital-asset security and custody |
| Chamath Palihapitiya | Founder, Social Capital | A venture investor's view on where technology capital is heading |
| David Rubenstein | Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, The Carlyle Group | Private markets and long-term capital trends |
| Bill Winters | CEO, Standard Chartered | Standard Chartered is a named ADFW 2026 collaborator; relevant to banking partnerships |
| Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara | Executive Director and CEO, Temasek | Sovereign and long-horizon investment thinking |
Also confirmed (per ADGM's August and September announcements):
- Oliver Bäte (Allianz)
- Tan Su Shan (DBS)
- Ron O'Hanley (State Street)
- Clare Woodman (Morgan Stanley)
- Jenny Johnson (Franklin Templeton)
- Charles R. Kaye (Warburg Pincus)
- Robert Smith (Vista Equity)
- The founders of Crusoe, Higgsfield AI and XPANCEO
- Leaders from Revolut, JPMorgan, Santander and UBS
- UAE officials including H.E. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and H.E. Dr Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi
Line-ups at events of this size change, and session times aren't published yet. Confirm on the ADFW speakers page before planning your day around one name.
Hub71 Growth Stage
Hub71 is Abu Dhabi's government-backed tech ecosystem, based in ADGM on Al Maryah Island. The Hub71 Growth Stage is one of the 10 new ADFW platforms for 2026. ADGM hasn't yet published its format, day or selection process.
If you're a growth-stage startup, contact Hub71 directly about speaking or showcase opportunities. For Hub71 portfolio companies, ask your programme team whether ADFW access is included.
Who Should Attend ADFW 2026?
Based on the published themes and the official ticket structure:
| You Are… | Worth Attending? | Best Day and Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Fintech, payments or digital-asset founder | Yes | Day 3, Fintech Abu Dhabi Single Day ($500) |
| AI founder selling to financial institutions | Yes | Day 3; check where the CNBC AI Capital Stack Summit lands |
| Proptech or healthtech founder | Likely | Check the days for the Real Estate Summit and the Health Finance & Innovation Forum once published |
| Climate-tech founder | Yes | Day 4, Sustainable Finance Forum ($500) |
| VC or angel investor | Yes | Full Week ($1,000) for the widest LP and co-investor access |
| Fund manager raising from LPs | Yes | Day 2, Asset Abu Dhabi, or Full Week |
| Pre-product founder with a Dubai B2C app | Probably not | GITEX and Expand North Star are a closer fit |
| Student or job seeker | Depends | No student pricing was listed; public sub-events vary |
The December Clash: ADFW vs GITEX Global and Expand North Star
This is the planning problem few guides mention. The biggest finance week and the biggest tech week in the UAE run in the same week, in two different emirates:
| Date | ADFW (Abu Dhabi) | GITEX Global / Expand North Star (Dubai) |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 7 Dec | Day 1: Falcon Economy, opening ceremony | GITEX's one-day summit for senior delegates |
| Tue 8 Dec | Day 2: Asset Abu Dhabi | GITEX exhibition opens; Expand North Star begins |
| Wed 9 Dec | Day 3: Fintech Abu Dhabi | GITEX exhibition; Expand North Star |
| Thu 10 Dec | Day 4: Sustainable Finance Forum | GITEX exhibition; Expand North Star (final day, as reported) |
| Fri 11 Dec | — | GITEX exhibition, final day |
GITEX Global runs 7–11 December 2026 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai. Expand North Star has been reported as running 8–10 December alongside it. Check both official sites for final schedules.
The December 2026 UAE Founder Playbook
This is a suggested plan for an AI or fintech founder covering both cities. It's our editorial recommendation, built from the published dates.
| Date | Where to Be | Why | Pass or Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 7 Dec | ADFW Day 1, Abu Dhabi, or stay in Dubai | The ADFW opening and macro day suits investors; GITEX's senior summit suits enterprise sellers | ADFW Day 1 needs a Full Week or Executive pass |
| Tue 8 Dec | Expand North Star, Dubai | Investor meetings and startup networking | Read our guides to Oraseya Capital and pre-seed funding in Dubai before you book meetings |
| Wed 9 Dec | ADFW Day 3, Abu Dhabi: Fintech Abu Dhabi | Regulators, digital-asset leaders, fintech investors | Single Day pass ($500); read our Hub71 and ADGM fintech guides |
| Thu 10 Dec | GITEX / Expand North Star, Dubai, or ADFW Day 4 if you're in climate tech | Enterprise and government buyers, or sustainable-finance capital | For government pilots, see Dubai Future Accelerators |
| Fri 11 Dec | GITEX Global, Dubai (final day) | Follow-ups and remaining meetings | Check our Q4 programmes tracker for open applications |
How to adjust it:
- If your buyers or investors are banks, funds or regulators, give ADFW more days.
- If they are enterprises, telcos or consumers, weight the week towards GITEX.
- If you're pre-seed, Expand North Star and programmes like Dtec SANDBOX or Dubai Founders HQ are usually a better use of the week than a full ADFW pass.
- Whatever the split, keep each city to separate days rather than trying to cover both in one.
How ADFW Compares with Other UAE Events
| Event | Focus | 2026 Dates | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Finance Week | Capital, asset management, fintech, sustainable finance | 7–10 Dec | Founders selling to or raising from financial institutions |
| GITEX Global | Enterprise technology and AI | 7–11 Dec | Enterprise sales, tech partnerships |
| Expand North Star | Startups and investors | 8–10 Dec (reported) | Early-stage fundraising and pitching |
See our Expand North Star 2026 guide for the startup programme in Dubai.
Travel, Hotels and Visas
Getting There
- Venue: ADGM Square, Al Maryah Island, central Abu Dhabi. The ADGM towers connect to The Galleria Al Maryah Island mall.
- Shuttles and parking: check ADFW's "Getting to ADFW" page, which the organisers usually complete in the final weeks before the event.
- Local transport: taxis and ride-hailing apps serve Al Maryah Island.
- From Dubai: allow well over an hour each way by road, depending on traffic and your starting point. If you're splitting the week, stay a night or two in Abu Dhabi around the days you attend rather than commuting.
Hotels Near ADGM
- On Al Maryah Island: Rosewood Abu Dhabi and Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island are both within walking distance of ADGM Square.
- Nearby and often cheaper: hotels on neighbouring Al Reem Island and in downtown Abu Dhabi, a short taxi ride away.
- Book early. With ADFW and GITEX in the same week, hotels in both cities fill fast. Rates vary by date, so compare before committing.
Visas and Entry
UAE entry rules depend on your nationality. Some visitors can enter without arranging a visa in advance, while others need a visit visa before travelling.
Check the UAE Government's official visa pages for your nationality, and allow time for processing if you need one. Carry a passport valid for your trip and your ticket confirmation.
Weather and Dress
- Weather: December is one of the UAE's milder months. Venues are air-conditioned, so bring a light layer.
- Dress: business attire is standard at finance events. Smart business dress is the safe choice for all four days.
Tips for First-Time Attendees
- Pick your day by theme, not by speaker. Speaker sessions move; the day themes are fixed.
- Book meetings before you arrive. Senior investors' calendars fill weeks ahead. Use the ADFW platform or app once it's released, and your own network.
- Prioritise side events. Many of the most useful conversations happen at partner receptions and sub-events around the main stages.
- Prepare a one-line ask. "We're raising a $2M seed for a payments API licensed in ADGM" works better than a general introduction.
- Follow the regulatory announcements. ADGM often uses ADFW week to announce new frameworks and licences, as it did with Binance in 2025.
- Leave buffer time. Moving between stages and buildings takes longer than you think.
How to Pitch Investors at ADFW
ADFW isn't a pitch competition. Most investor conversations happen in pre-booked meetings, side events and receptions. Based on how finance-week meetings typically run, here's how to prepare:
For investor-specific preparation, our Oraseya Capital guide explains what one of the UAE's most active investors looks for.
Frequently asked questions
When is Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2026?
Where is ADFW 2026 held?
How much are ADFW 2026 tickets?
Is Abu Dhabi Finance Week free?
Which day of ADFW 2026 is best for startups?
Does a Single Day ticket include Day 1?
What is the CNBC AI Capital Stack Summit?
How many events and speakers are there?
Does ADFW clash with GITEX Global?
How do I register for ADFW 2026?
Is ADFW 2026 registration open?
Can startups attend Abu Dhabi Finance Week?
Can I attend ADFW for one day?
Is Hub71 part of ADFW?
What should I wear to Abu Dhabi Finance Week?
Final takeaway
ADFW 2026 is the UAE’s main meeting point for capital: sovereign funds, global asset managers, banks and regulators, all in one district for four days.
For most tech founders, one well-planned day is worth more than a full-week pass. Choose Fintech Abu Dhabi on 9 December if you build in AI, payments or digital assets. Book your investor and regulator meetings in advance, and plan the rest of the week around GITEX and Expand North Star in Dubai.
For more on the Abu Dhabi side of the ecosystem, see our guides to Hub71 and ADGM for fintech startups. For startup programmes open in the fourth quarter, see our Q4 2026 programmes tracker.
