Miral brings Topgolf to Yas Island

Miral has confirmed plans to develop a Topgolf venue on Yas Island, adding another global leisure brand to Abu Dhabi’s flagship entertainment destination and reinforcing the emirate’s strategy of broadening year-round tourism beyond theme parks and seasonal events.

The venue, to be known as Topgolf Yas Island, will be developed and operated by Miral under a licensing agreement with Topgolf International. It is expected to feature technology-enabled driving bays, food and beverage outlets, event spaces and coaching facilities, positioning it as a hybrid sports-entertainment offering rather than a conventional golf range. Miral has said the project will be integrated into Yas Island’s wider masterplan, which already hosts Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

Topgolf’s arrival reflects a broader push by Abu Dhabi to diversify leisure experiences towards social, skills-based attractions that appeal to residents and visitors alike. Industry analysts note that such venues typically generate longer dwell times and repeat visits, supporting adjacent hospitality, retail and transport services. Miral has not disclosed the project’s investment value or opening timeline, though development is expected to proceed in phases aligned with infrastructure readiness on the island.

For Miral, the addition of Topgolf expands its portfolio beyond large-scale theme parks into lifestyle-oriented attractions. The company, wholly owned by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investment entity Mubadala Investment Company, has positioned Yas Island as a multi-day destination capable of hosting families, young adults and corporate groups. Executives have previously said the strategy centres on clustering complementary attractions to maximise cross-visitation and spread demand across the calendar.

Topgolf International, which operates more than 90 venues worldwide, has accelerated expansion in the Middle East over the past decade, targeting markets with strong disposable incomes and a growing appetite for experiential leisure. The brand’s model blends gamified golf with casual dining and live entertainment, making it accessible to non-golfers while still appealing to enthusiasts. Regional performance has been bolstered by corporate bookings and tourism traffic, particularly in destinations with established event and conference ecosystems.

Yas Island has become a focal point for that ecosystem. Alongside its theme parks, the island hosts the Yas Marina Circuit, home to the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, major concert venues and a cluster of hotels catering to both leisure and business travellers. Authorities view the mix as critical to sustaining visitor numbers outside peak holiday periods and reducing reliance on single marquee events.

Tourism officials have highlighted entertainment-led investments as a key driver of Abu Dhabi’s broader economic diversification agenda. The sector supports employment across construction, operations, hospitality and creative industries, while also reinforcing the emirate’s international brand as a family-friendly and culturally diverse destination. Adding globally recognised names such as Topgolf is seen as lowering marketing barriers in competitive source markets.

The project also reflects shifting consumer preferences in urban leisure. Post-pandemic patterns show rising demand for venues that combine physical activity with social interaction, flexible pricing and food-led experiences. Developers globally have responded by favouring modular attractions that can host corporate events, private functions and casual walk-ins without the capacity constraints of traditional theme parks.

Within the Gulf region, competition for such brands has intensified, with cities seeking to differentiate through scale, location and complementary offerings. Abu Dhabi’s advantage lies in the concentration of attractions on Yas Island and the backing of long-term capital, allowing developers to take a multi-decade view on returns rather than relying on rapid payback.

Miral has indicated that sustainability and operational efficiency will be factored into the project’s design, in line with wider emirate policies on energy use and environmental impact. While specific features have not been detailed, newer Topgolf venues globally have incorporated energy-efficient lighting, water-saving systems and digital queue management to optimise resource use.