Coldplay’s Historic Concert Series in the UAE
It’s now official: Coldplay has made history by performing the largest concert series ever in the UAE. This past week, the iconic British band thrilled audiences with four sold-out shows at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Stadium as part of their ongoing Music of the Spheres world tour. Over 200,000 fans flocked to the UAE capital for these unforgettable concerts, marking Coldplay’s only stop in the Middle East this year.
Zayed Sports City Stadium, which typically accommodates 45,000 spectators for the UAE’s national football team, expanded its capacity to allow more fans by granting access to the pitch area. This adjustment enabled a larger audience than usual, setting a remarkable precedent in concert attendance. This milestone eclipses the previous record set by Ed Sheeran, who performed two sold-out shows in Dubai last January, attracting 69,000 fans at Sevens Stadium.
The excitement surrounding Coldplay’s shows has swept across the UAE ever since the initial announcement in September. Fans eagerly queued at Ticketmaster, leading to such overwhelming demand that a single concert quickly transformed into a series of four, ensuring that as many fans as possible could experience the magic of a Coldplay performance.
Those fortunate enough to secure tickets were treated to a spectacular show filled with the band’s greatest hits, dazzling lights, and the now-famous moongoggles that have become a signature of their performances. Chris Martin and the band delivered a setlist that featured beloved classics alongside new songs from their 10th studio album, Moon Music.
Throughout the four-day event, the atmosphere was electric, with countless proposals occurring among the crowd and social media feeds overflowing with videos of fans singing along to their favorite songs. This concert series was expertly organized by Live Nation Middle East, with support from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
Given the enormous scale of the concerts, special transportation arrangements were implemented to facilitate smooth access to and from the stadium. On the days of the shows, free shuttle buses were available between Expo City Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while additional shuttles operated from multiple locations within the capital.
With Chris Martin hinting at the possibility of retirement following the release of their 12th album, these performances could represent one of the last opportunities for fans in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to witness Coldplay live. However, James Craven, President of Live Nation Middle East, hinted at exciting prospects for future collaborations with the band.
He stated, “At Live Nation Middle East, we take immense pride in creating unforgettable events for the region, and it has been an honor to bring Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour to the UAE. Organizing the region’s largest concert series showcased the skill and hard work of our team, and we are deeply grateful for the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Miral, and the dedicated team at Zayed Sports City Stadium. We look forward to future collaborations with Coldplay and more exciting artists while continuing to deliver some of the most iconic events in the region.”
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