A major international accolade for theme park excellence has been presented to a venue in the Middle East for the first time.
The global attractions industry gathered recently to recognise outstanding management and creative achievements, highlighting a Middle East destination that has successfully challenged traditional outdoor competitors through its indoor format.
A milestone for Yas Island
During a ceremony held in Xcaret, Mexico, on 14 May 2026, Warner Bros World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, was officially named the recipient of the 23rd Applause Award. The announcement took place as part of the IAAPA Honors ceremony, an event organised by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions to celebrate industry innovation and excellence. IAAPA currently represents over 9,000 members worldwide.
Established in 1980, the Applause Award is a global honour specifically created for the amusement and theme park sector. It aims to recognise parks whose management, operations, and creative accomplishments have inspired the industry with foresight, originality, and sound business development. The Abu Dhabi park now joins an exclusive roster of previous recipients.
Exceptional achievements in creativity
Andreas Veilstrup Andersen, President and CEO of Liseberg Group and Chairman of The Applause Award Board of Governors, highlighted the specific reasons for the park’s selection this year.
“Warner Bros World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi receives the Applause Award for the park’s exceptional achievements in creativity and innovation, being the first indoor theme park that genuinely rivals its outdoor competitors,” Andersen said.
He added that the park is not only one of the best globally but also a key element of an outstanding destination development. The venue was built and is operated by Miral, an Abu Dhabi-based creator of immersive destinations.
According to Andersen, Miral “demonstrates a relentless commitment to investment, quality, and service, making Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi the evident recipient of the first Applause Award presented to a park in the Middle East.”
Achieving the tourism vision
Dr. Mohammad Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, expressed his gratitude for the industry recognition and the work of the development teams.
“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 in crafting truly immersive, world-class experiences that deliver joyful and memorable moments for every guest. 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,” Dr. Al Zaabi stated.
Award legacy
The Applause Award has built a 46-year legacy of recognising parks across the globe. Warner Bros World Yas Island follows recent winners such as Universal Studios Japan in 2025, Siam Park in Spain in 2024, and Tokyo DisneySea in 2022.
The inaugural award was granted to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in 1980. Over the decades, the accolade has been distributed to venues across North America, Europe, and Asia, making this year’s shift to the United Arab Emirates a distinct new chapter in the award’s history.
