Dubai’s World Health Expo (WHX), previously known as Arab Health, will take a major step in 2026 by relocating from its long-standing home at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) to the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. This will be the first time in the event’s five-decade history that it is hosted outside DWTC.
The relocation comes through a strategic collaboration between Informa Markets and Expo City Dubai, which will expand the exhibition area by 11,343 square meters, bringing the total space to 74,402 sqm. The 2026 edition is scheduled for February 9-12.
Sholto Douglas-Home, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Expo City Dubai, said, “This partnership opens new opportunities for healthcare professionals worldwide to meet, present innovations, and collaborate. WHX is a major event on the global health calendar, and Expo City Dubai provides a modern environment to enhance those connections.”
A Look Back at Arab Health and DWTC
Arab Health began in 1975 with only 40 exhibitors, growing over the decades into a global healthcare event. The exact location of its first exhibition is unclear since DWTC’s first tower, Sheikh Rashid Tower, opened in 1979. Over the years, DWTC has expanded its facilities, beginning with Halls 1 and 2 in 1988, followed by Halls 4-8 in 1996, the Sheikh Saeed halls in 2009, and Za’abeel Halls in 2016. Today, DWTC covers 92,900 sqm and has been a free zone since 2015. The surrounding One Central commercial complex, completed in phases from 2016 to 2018, provides more than 147,000 sqm of office space. The Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai, a venue launched in 2021 and managed by DWTC, initially provided 45,000 sqm of event space and is now undergoing a major expansion to host large-scale events like WHX.
The 2026 Edition: Bigger and More Interactive
The upcoming WHX is expected to host over 235,000 professional attendees and 4,300 exhibitors, positioning it among the world’s largest healthcare events. The new venue will feature six CME-accredited conferences, four certified bootcamps, and three specialized stages, Future X, Frontiers, and Visionary.
Solenne Singer, Senior Vice President at Informa Markets, emphasized, “Following the success of our 50th edition, we are responding to growing global demand. The Dubai Exhibition Centre provides the space and flexibility needed for continued growth.”
Beyond additional exhibition space, Expo City Dubai will offer networking zones, hospitality areas, and cultural spaces, creating a more engaging and immersive experience for attendees. Exhibitors will also have the opportunity to use vinyl banners printing throughout the venue to enhance branding and visibility, with services available through trusted providers like Dubai Banners, ensuring high-quality displays that blend seamlessly with the event’s professional environment.
“This partnership allows the healthcare community to connect in multiple ways, from formal business meetings to informal networking and cultural exchange,” Singer added.
Accessibility is a priority at the new venue, which includes wheelchair-friendly paths, braille signage, and mobility support services. The location is well-connected to the Dubai Metro and major roads, featuring a car-free interior layout to promote sustainable transport. Event organizers plan to install directional signs and display banners to guide visitors across the expansive halls.
WHX will run alongside WHX Labs, formerly Medlab Middle East, which will remain at DWTC from February 10-13. Combined, the two events are expected to attract more than 270,000 visitors and 4,800 exhibitors. Both events operate under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention.
