MGM Dubai is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2028.
The resort will be located on The Island by Wasl off Dubai’s Jumeirah coastline.
MGM Grand, Bellagio and Aria will all make their Middle East debut at the development.
It’s not a bluff – The Island will be home to Aria, Bellagio and MGM hotels.
Dubai has often been called the Las Vegas of the Middle East – just without the gambling. Now, we can confirm that the city will be home to a Las Vegas-inspired island, aptly titled The Island. A record-breaking deal has been signed, and MGM Dubai is expected to open in the third quarter of 2028, placing the long-awaited resort firmly on the city’s future hospitality calendar.
Set on The Island by Wasl, an artificial island off the coast of Umm Suqeim near the Burj Al Arab and Kite Beach, the development will introduce three of MGM Resorts International’s most recognisable hotel brands to the emirate. The project will include MGM Dubai, Bellagio and Aria, marking the Middle East debut for the trio of internationally known names.
MGM Resorts International President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle confirmed the updated timeline during the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call, stating: “Construction remains on schedule in Dubai, with Bellagio, Aria and MGM Grand Hotel towers scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2028.”
The Island is being developed by Wasl Hospitality & Leisure and has been designed as a large-scale beachfront destination rather than a single hotel address. Early project details revealed plans for extensive hospitality, dining, retail and entertainment components, including a theatre, a wide mix of culinary venues, speciality retail, museums, adventure zones, a beach club and resort accommodation. The destination is also set to feature waterfront experiences, leisure spaces and a collection of hotel rooms and villas. Plus, at the centre of the Island will be a 110-metre-tall entertainment tower.
Drawing inspiration from its Vegas counterpart, MGM Resort Dubai is set to host regular shows and will also feature a beach club and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The hotel will also be a haven for shoppers and foodies, with a plethora of restaurants and retail options. Bellagio Hotel Dubai will boast a modern and futuristic design across a staggering 1,000 rooms and 10 exquisite villas. The facilities within and around the hotel are equally impressive, including a theatre, museums showcasing art and culture, and an array of world-class restaurants. We’re also hoping for an iteration of the Bellagio Fountain found at the Las Vegas property. Finally, Aria has built its reputation around contemporary design, restaurants and a more modern interpretation of luxury.
Aria, Bellagio and MGM are famous for their connection to Las Vegas and casinos, which has led many to believe that a gaming facility could open in Dubai. In September 2023, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority was officially established to create a framework for a national lottery and commercial gaming. However, MGM currently has a non-gaming agreement with Wasl Hospitality, although reports indicate that space has been allocated for possible future gaming, subject to approvals.
In December 2023, MGM President and CEO William Hornbuckle said at a conference in Las Vegas: “I’d love to be in Dubai with an operating product with a casino in it, but one step and one day at a time. We’re very progressive and excited by what could happen there. We think there will be three or four [casinos] in the Emirates. It’s up to each ruler to decide what they want to do and where they want to do it.”
Specific details for each hotel are still being kept under wraps, but the development is set to include around 1,400 rooms across MGM Dubai, Bellagio and Aria. No official restaurant line-up has been revealed yet, although the resort is planned to feature a broad mix of casual and fine dining venues, retail, a beach club, entertainment spaces and family-friendly adventure zones.
Where: MGM Dubai, The Island, Umm Suqeim, Dubai
When: Opening late 2028
Contact: www.mgmresorts.com