Is the Museum of the Future worth it? (closed until 2027)

Not right now: the Museum of the Future closed its exhibitions at the start of September 2026 and says it will reopen in the first quarter of 2027 with entirely new ones. Until then, the part worth your time is free: the building itself on Sheikh Zayed Road, seen from outside.

What is open and what is closed

The museum describes the closure as temporary and expected to last only a few months. It says it is rebuilding the experience from the ground up rather than updating the old exhibitions.

What will change when it reopens

• Everything inside. The current exhibitions will not return; they are being replaced with new exhibitions and experiences.
• More interaction. The museum promises a more immersive story, new exhibitions and labs, and a more interactive visit.
• Access. It says the renewed museum will include spaces, services and experiences designed for People of Determination.
• Not the building. The architecture stays exactly as it is.

This matters for anyone reading older reviews: what people praised or criticised before September 2026 describes exhibitions that no longer exist.

The free version: the building

The building is the one part of the museum that has not changed, and looking at it costs nothing. The official figures:

• Height: 77 metres.
• Floor area: an overall area capacity of 30,548 square metres.
• Façade: 1,024 stainless-steel pieces, made with a robot-assisted process, covering 17,600 square metres.
• Calligraphy: quotes from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum about imagination, innovation and creativity, written in the calligraphy of Mattar bin Lahej.
• Design: architects Killa Design, with engineering by Buro Happold.
• Energy: the museum says it receives 4,000 MWh a year from nearby solar arrays.

The shape is meant to be read: the green mound stands for the earth, the ring-shaped building for humanity, and the empty centre for the unknown future. The museum is an initiative of the Dubai Future Foundation, and its official address is Sheikh Zayed Road.

Should you plan around the reopening?

Wait for it if

• You are visiting Dubai after the first quarter of 2027 and like architecture and immersive design. The museum says each floor is designed like a film set that you explore and interact with.
• You are travelling with children. Check what the new exhibitions offer them once the museum publishes details; the old children’s floor is among the exhibitions being replaced.
• You want an indoor activity for a hot day.

Do not build a trip around it if

• Your dates fall before the reopening. Older ticket listings on other sites do not mean the exhibitions are open.
• You want artefacts and dense information. The museum describes immersive settings, films and events rather than a collection of objects.
• You have only a couple of days and have not yet seen Burj Khalifa or old Dubai.

How to know when tickets go on sale

1. Check the official site, museumofthefuture.ae. Its help page says tickets will be available closer to the reopening in the first quarter of 2027.
2. Do not pay for tickets on other sites before the museum opens sales itself.
3. For questions, the museum lists the phone number 800 2071 and the email [email protected].
4. Once prices and visit lengths are published, we will update our full Museum of the Future guide.

What to do instead while it is closed

• Photograph the building from outside; it costs nothing.
• Go up Burj Khalifa, where tickets are sold by date and time slot.
• Spend a day on free things to do in Dubai.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Museum of the Future closed permanently?

No. The museum says the closure is temporary and expected to last only a few months, with reopening in the first quarter of 2027.

Can I go inside during the closure?

The main exhibitions are closed. The museum says some spaces may open for selected activities and services, and selected events may continue; check its official channels.

Will the exhibitions I saw online come back?

No. The museum says the current exhibitions will be replaced by new ones.

How much will tickets cost after reopening?

The museum has not published prices yet. We will not quote a number until it does.

Is the building changing too?

No. The museum says the architectural design will remain unchanged.

We checked the closure details against the official site on 10 October 2026. Our editorial policy explains how we verify facts.

Closure and reopening timing checked on 26 September 2026 against the official Museum of the Future website — confirm on the official site before booking. See our editorial policy.