Abu Dhabi’s Warner Bros. World just made history as the first Middle East theme park to win this global award
Abu Dhabi has another major win under its belt. Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi has officially been named the Best Theme Park in the World at the 2026 Liseberg Applause Award, one of the attractions industry’s biggest honours.
The award was presented during the IAAPA Honors Event and marks a first for the Middle East, with Warner Bros. World becoming the first theme park in the region to receive the accolade.
The Applause Award has been around since 1980 and is widely regarded as the industry’s most prestigious recognition for excellence in management, operations and guest experience. Only one theme park is selected during each award cycle, and previous winners include Tokyo DisneySea in Japan, Universal Studios Japan and Xcaret Park in Mexico.
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For Abu Dhabi, this Warner Bros. World recognition is another sign of how quickly Yas Island has grown into one of the world’s major entertainment destinations.
Dr Mohammad Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, described the award as a proud moment for the UAE capital and praised the teams behind the attraction for creating immersive experiences that continue to attract visitors from around the world.
Warner Bros. World opened on Yas Island in 2018 and remains the region’s largest indoor theme park. Inside, guests move through six themed lands packed with rides, live entertainment and familiar characters from the Warner Bros. universe, from Batman and Superman to Bugs Bunny and Scooby-Doo.
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The timing of the Warner Bros. World award also comes as the park gears up for its next major expansion. A new Harry Potter themed land is currently in the works alongside two new DC-themed rides.
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