Dubai's retail scene is getting another major upgrade, with several new malls coming to Dubai officially confirmed for the next few years. The upcoming projects span massive shopping destinations, lifestyle-focused community malls, dining hubs, wellness spaces, entertainment concepts, and new retail centres planned for fast-growing residential areas.
The confirmed list includes Dubai Square, Ghaf Woods Mall, NAS Gardens Community Mall, Sobha Mall, Le Meryeme Mall in Liwan, Le Meryeme Mall in The Villa, South Bay Mall, and HAYAT Community Mall. Both large-scale flagship destinations and smaller neighbourhood developments are represented.
New Malls Coming to Dubai in 2026
Dubai Square is one of the biggest projects currently planned in the city. Emaar announced the destination for Dubai Creek Harbour, with 2.6 million square metres allocated for retail, hospitality, and commercial use. The project forms part of the wider Dubai Creek Harbour development and includes shopping areas, entertainment zones, dining spaces, hotels, and pedestrian-friendly sections. Emaar also confirmed plans for a drive-through mall concept and integrated transport connections. The project is expected to open in phases from 2028.
Ghaf Woods Mall is a major project by Majid Al Futtaim, announced as part of the AED 15.4 billion Ghaf Woods community development along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. The forest-integrated retail concept sits within a community planned around 35,000 trees. No specific opening date has been confirmed.
NAS Gardens Community Mall is generating significant attention ahead of its August 2026 launch. The project is planned for Meraas' Nad Al Sheba Gardens development and will feature cafés, restaurants, retail stores, wellness spaces, a nursery, and Waitrose as the anchor supermarket. Kokoro Handroll Bar and Bake My Day are also among the early confirmed tenants. The mall will be open to visitors who do not live in the community.
More Community Malls Are on the Way
South Bay Mall is planned for Dubai South Residential District and will include retail outlets, food concepts, outdoor leisure areas, fitness facilities, parking spaces, and lifestyle-focused amenities for residents in the area. The project forms part of the wider Dubai South lagoon community development.
HAYAT Community Mall is part of the wider HAYAT by Dubai South master development near Al Maktoum International Airport. Plans include retail stores, cafés, restaurants, public gathering areas, and community-focused services for residents in that fast-growing corridor.
Le Meryeme Mall in Liwan and Le Meryeme Mall in The Villa are both currently under development. The two projects are expected to feature boutique-style retail concepts, dining venues, gyms, wellness facilities, and family-focused services.
Sobha Mall rounds out the confirmed list, adding another name to the city's expanding lifestyle and shopping scene within Sobha Realty's Hartland community.
What Residents Can Expect
Several of the new malls coming to Dubai are planned around residential communities rather than tourist-heavy districts. That means more grocery stores, cafés, wellness spaces, fitness spots, casual dining venues, and family services closer to where people actually live.
Dubai Square remains one of the most talked-about retail developments currently planned in the city, while projects like NAS Gardens Community Mall and South Bay Mall focus more on lifestyle convenience and community foot traffic.
Retail developers are also placing greater emphasis on food concepts, public gathering areas, and flexible lifestyle spaces as Dubai continues expanding its residential districts and mixed-use communities.
Why These New Dubai Malls Matter
Dubai already has one of the strongest retail sectors globally, but this next wave of development is clearly shifting focus toward community living and everyday convenience. Residents are seeing more lifestyle-driven destinations planned near their homes instead of only major tourist zones.
That means easier access to dining, shopping, wellness, entertainment, and essential services — without needing to travel far for daily activities or weekend plans. For anyone living in Dubai's newer residential communities, these projects represent a meaningful shift in what local retail looks and feels like.
