Dubai’s Museum of the Future is temporarily closed. The torus-shaped landmark shut its doors in September 2026 for the biggest exhibition overhaul since it opened in 2022, and it is expected to reopen in the first quarter of 2027 with an entirely new set of experiences. If you’re visiting Dubai in 2026, take it off the itinerary — if your trip falls in 2027, this is everything worth knowing before it reopens.

Here’s the full picture: what the museum is, what tickets cost before the closure, how booking worked, what was inside, and the visitor tips worth keeping for the reopening. Check the official museumofthefuture.ae for reopening announcements before making plans around it.

Is the Museum of the Future open in 2026?

No — the Museum of the Future is currently closed to visitors. It closed in September 2026 so that every major exhibition floor can be replaced with a new generation of immersive experiences, shaped by more than 1,000 ideas submitted by people around the world. The museum plans to reopen in the first quarter of 2027, ahead of its fifth anniversary on 22 February 2027. No exact reopening date has been announced yet, so treat any third-party “reopening” claims with caution until the official site confirms them.

What is the Museum of the Future?

Opened on 22 February 2022 by the Dubai Future Foundation, the Museum of the Future is less a museum of the past than a prototype of 2071. Its silver torus — wrapped in Arabic calligraphy quoting the words of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum — has become one of the most photographed buildings on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Unlike conventional museums built around permanent collections, it was designed from the outset to evolve: exhibitions are refreshed as science and technology move forward. This 2026–27 overhaul is that philosophy in action — the first time the building’s entire gallery programme is being replaced at once.

Museum of the Future tickets: prices and booking

Before the closure, standard admission was priced at AED 169 per person (ages 4 and above), with free entry for children under 4 and for people of determination plus one caregiver. A single ticket covered the full building for a normal visit — no separate charges between floors.

Tickets were sold online in timed entry slots, and advance booking was essential: popular slots routinely sold out days ahead, especially on weekends. That booking pattern is unlikely to change — when tickets for the 2027 reopening go on sale, book the earliest available slot on your preferred date rather than hoping for walk-in availability.

What was inside: the exhibition floors

The pre-closure exhibitions — now being fully replaced — were arranged across themed floors:

  • OSS Hope — a simulated space-station voyage to 2071, with mission-style briefings and views of Earth from orbit.
  • The HEAL Institute — a biodiversity and bioengineering showcase with a “Vault of Life” of DNA samples, set in a simulated rainforest.
  • Al Waha (the Oasis) — a sensory wellness space exploring the future of health and wellbeing.
  • Tomorrow Today — near-future technologies tackling challenges in health, water, food, transport and energy.
  • Future Heroes — a dedicated children’s floor of interactive challenges.

All of these galleries are being replaced for the 2027 reopening, so expect an entirely new line-up. Visitors typically spent around two to three hours inside.

Getting there: Emirates Towers metro station

The museum sits on Sheikh Zayed Road next to the Jumeirah Emirates Towers, and the easiest way to reach it is the Dubai Metro’s Red Line to Emirates Towers station, which connects to the museum by a direct pedestrian bridge. A Nol card covers the fare, and our Dubai Metro guide has the full route details.

Timings: when it was open

Before the closure, the museum opened daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with last admission around 5:00 PM. Hours for the 2027 reopening haven’t been published yet — check the official site when booking. Mornings, especially the first slot of the day, were consistently the quietest time to visit.

Visitor tips for the reopening

  • Book the earliest slot you can. Pre-closure, the 10:00–11:00 AM slots filled first and offered the calmest experience and the best natural light for photos.
  • Allow two to three hours. The exhibitions reward lingering; rushing through in 90 minutes means skipping half the interactivity.
  • Arrive 15–30 minutes before your slot. Timed entry is enforced, and security screening takes a few minutes.
  • Photography for personal use is permitted — the exterior at night, with the calligraphy illuminated, is one of Dubai’s best photo stops.
  • Plan the day around it. The museum sits between Downtown and the Financial Centre, so pair it with nearby sights from our places to visit in Dubai — or check whether a Dubai tourist pass covers entry once tickets return.
  • Driving? On-site parking was limited before the closure; valet parking was available for an extra fee.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Museum of the Future open now?

No. It closed in September 2026 for a full exhibition revamp and is expected to reopen in the first quarter of 2027.

When will the Museum of the Future reopen?

The museum says the first quarter of 2027, timed ahead of its fifth anniversary on 22 February 2027. No exact date has been confirmed — check the official site before planning around it.

How much were Museum of the Future tickets?

Shortly before the closure, standard admission was AED 169 per person (ages 4 and above). Children under 4 and people of determination with one caregiver entered free. Prices for the reopening haven’t been announced.

Do I need to book Museum of the Future tickets in advance?

Yes — that was firmly the case before the closure, when slots sold out days ahead, and it will very likely apply again. Book online through the official site as soon as tickets for your dates appear.

How do I get to the Museum of the Future by metro?

Take the Dubai Metro Red Line to Emirates Towers station. A pedestrian bridge connects the station directly to the museum entrance.

How long should I plan to spend at the Museum of the Future?

Two to three hours was the typical visit length for the old exhibitions. Plan the same for the reopening — longer if you’re visiting with children.