Inside Warner Bros. World Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi has been named the best theme park in the world, becoming the first attraction in the Middle East to receive the prestigious 2026 Liseberg Applause Award. The accolade, regarded as the attractions industry’s oldest and most respected recognition, was announced during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Honors Event. The award was accepted by Hind Galadari, General Manager of Warner Bros. World, and Daniel Wills, Executive Director of Projects Delivery at Miral, on behalf of the team behind the landmark attraction. The Applause Award honours excellence in management, operations and creative achievement. Since its launch in 1980, only 22 theme parks worldwide have received the recognition, with just one park selected during each award cycle. Previous winners include Universal Studios Japan in 2025, Siam Park in Spain in 2024, Tokyo DisneySea in 2022 and Xcaret Park in Mexico in 2018. Dr. Mohammad Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, said the recognition marked a defining moment for Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector. “Receiving the 2026 Liseberg Applause Award as the first theme park in the Middle East is an incredibly proud moment for us. Most importantly, it celebrates the exceptional passion, creativity, and dedication of our teams and partners at Warner Bros. in crafting truly immersive, world-class experiences that deliver joyful and memorable moments for every guest,” he said. “For Miral, this accolade is a testament to our ongoing efforts in further positioning Yas Island as a top global destination for leisure and entertainment, while contributing to achieving Abu Dhabi’s 2030 tourism vision,” he added. Developed by Miral in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, Warner Bros. World is the largest indoor theme park in the region. The attraction features six immersive themed lands, state-of-the-art rides and live entertainment experiences built around beloved Warner Bros. characters and franchises. The park is also preparing for major expansion, including the highly anticipated Harry Potter-themed land and two new DC-themed rides. ICA/Expat Media
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