Key changes, events and important dates to watch for across the UAE this September.
September is set to bring a series of changes and major events across the UAE as residents return to a busy new season following the summer break. From revised Nafis salary benefits for Emiratis working in the private sector to the continued expansion of Etihad Rail, several key developments are expected to take place across the country.
As the summer heat gradually gives way to cooler weather, the UAE’s calendar is also set to fill up with a range of sporting, entertainment and cultural events.
Here are the key changes, major events and important dates to look out for across the UAE this September.
New Nafis salary rules
Emirati employees will benefit from a revised Nafis framework in September, introducing new salary-support caps, a standard Dh6,000 minimum salary requirement for eligibility, an uncapped child allowance and changes to employers’ pension contribution responsibilities.
The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) said the updated programmes will take effect in September 2026 for new beneficiaries. Existing recipients of the Private Sector Emirati Salary Support Scheme will gradually transition to the revised framework over a period of up to three years.
Etihad Rail Dubai, Sharjah stations to open
A major milestone for Etihad Rail is scheduled for September 30, 2026, when passenger services will formally launch and the network will expand with two new stations — Dubai Station, near Jumeirah Golf Estates, and Al Dhaid Station in Sharjah.
The first phase of the passenger network, launched on June 30, connected Abu Dhabi with Fujairah.
Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station will also be linked to the Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Dubai Metro Red Line through a pedestrian connection.
Hajj registration to open
UAE citizens planning to perform Hajj in 2027 can register from September 14, 2026, according to the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat.
Pilgrims will be selected through an automated screening process based on approved criteria and requirements. In 2026, the UAE approved 6,228 Emirati citizens to perform Hajj, while more than 1.7 million people from 165 countries took part in the pilgrimage.
Middle East Film & Comic Con in Abu Dhabi
The Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) will take place from September 11 to 13 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. The event is expected to attract fans of comics, films, gaming, cosplay and popular culture.
The convention will feature major international brands from film, television, science fiction, animation, manga, comics and collectibles, giving attendees an opportunity to explore their interests and connect with fellow fans.
EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup
The EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup Abu Dhabi 2026 will take place at Etihad Arena on September 18 and 19, adding another major international sporting event to the capital’s calendar.
Four leading basketball clubs — Real Madrid, Olympiacos Piraeus, Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul and Dubai Basketball — will compete in the two-day tournament. The schedule includes two semi-finals on Friday, followed by the third-place match and final on Saturday.
Gardening services on Careem
Dubai residents will be able to access gardening services through the Careem app from September with the launch of the new ‘Al Freej Gardener’ initiative.
Announced on August 2, the service will connect residents with qualified and licensed professionals through a regulated platform, while strengthening security and safety standards across Dubai’s neighbourhoods.
Museum of the Future to close, Dubai Mallathon to end
While September will bring several new developments, some existing attractions and initiatives will also come to an end.
Dubai’s Museum of the Future will temporarily close on September 1 as work begins on the “next generation of experiences”. The new experiences are expected to be unveiled on the attraction’s fifth anniversary next year and will draw inspiration from ideas and suggestions submitted by people around the world.
Dubai Mallathon, a mass fitness initiative launched by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan, returned for its second edition in 2026, turning shopping malls into air-conditioned running and walking tracks. The two-month event, which began on June 15, will conclude on September 15.
The community sports initiative attracted more than 100,000 participants in its second edition, with residents and visitors recording more than 220 million steps during its first two months.
The UAE’s annual midday break for outdoor workers will also end on September 15, marking the gradual transition away from the peak summer work schedule. The Occupational Heat Stress Prevention Policy was implemented for the 22nd consecutive year in 2026 to protect workers during the hottest months.
