Dubai is preparing to welcome thousands of property professionals, investors and decision-makers as one of the region’s largest real estate gatherings returns to the city. The 22nd edition of IPS 2026 will take place from September 7 to 9 at Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together developers, financial institutions, government representatives and international capital providers.

The event comes at an important stage for Dubai’s property sector. After several years of strong investment activity, developers are increasingly competing not only for individual buyers but also for institutional capital and international partnerships. IPS provides a meeting point where new projects, financing opportunities and emerging technologies can be presented directly to investors evaluating the UAE and other global markets.

According to the Dubai Land Department, which is supporting IPS 2026 as a strategic partner, exhibition space for this year’s edition has increased by 38% compared with 2025. Organisers expect the event to strengthen links between developers, investors and real estate institutions while highlighting new opportunities across the sector.

Major developers bring new portfolios to Dubai

The exhibition floor will feature a broad range of companies operating across residential, commercial and mixed-use property. Among the prominent developers scheduled to participate are Azizi Properties, Binghatti, Danube, Fakhruddin Properties, SanZen and Union Properties.

Their presence reflects the scale of development currently taking place across Dubai and the growing importance of international buyers to the emirate’s property industry. Instead of functioning solely as a traditional exhibition, IPS is increasingly positioned as a marketplace where developers can present active portfolios, discuss future pipelines and establish direct relationships with capital providers.

More than 300 exhibitors are expected to represent different parts of the real estate ecosystem. Alongside developers, the event will bring together brokers, financial organisations, architects, technology businesses and other companies serving the property industry.

This variety gives investors an opportunity to examine more than individual residential projects. Hospitality assets, commercial developments, smart infrastructure and technology-driven property solutions are also expected to form an important part of discussions during the three-day event.

IPS 2026 will be organised around several major areas covering real estate as well as Future Cities, Design, Services and PropTech startups. This structure reflects how investment decisions are changing as sustainability, digitalisation and urban technology become increasingly important in the development and management of property.

Dubai targets a broader international investor base

The scale of the upcoming exhibition builds on strong participation recorded last year. The 2025 edition attracted more than 30,000 visitors, with participants representing 153 countries. Deals and business agreements generated during the event exceeded AED 1.84 billion, equivalent to more than $500 million.

Those figures underline why international property exhibitions have become increasingly valuable to Dubai. The emirate is competing for global capital while simultaneously expanding its residential, tourism, commercial and infrastructure sectors. Bringing investors directly into the city allows them to assess developments, meet market participants and examine the broader business environment in person.

For developers, this international exposure is particularly significant as the property market enters a new stage of growth. Buyers have more projects to choose from, while expectations regarding construction quality, payment structures, amenities and long-term investment performance continue to rise.

Institutional investors also approach the market differently from individual buyers. Their decisions can depend on regulatory conditions, projected rental income, development pipelines and broader economic trends. IPS therefore includes specialist conferences and dedicated investor programmes designed to facilitate discussions on capital flows, regulation and market performance.

The programme will also feature workshops, training sessions, project launches and investment destination presentations. These formats are intended to turn the exhibition into a working business platform rather than simply a showcase of new buildings.

IPS expands beyond traditional property investment

One of the notable elements of the 2026 edition is its connection with AIM Congress, which will also run from September 7 to 9 in Dubai. The combination places real estate discussions alongside a wider international investment agenda covering technology, future economies and cross-border capital.

This creates opportunities for property companies to interact with investors whose interests extend beyond conventional real estate. Smart-city infrastructure, PropTech, sustainable construction and digitally managed assets are increasingly connected with broader investment strategies, particularly among institutional funds and international businesses.

Technology is also becoming more visible throughout the property transaction cycle. Digital platforms are changing how projects are marketed, while data analysis is influencing pricing and investment decisions. At the same time, developers are adopting new systems for property management, customer services and construction planning.

Dubai is using this transformation to reinforce its position as an international investment centre rather than simply a destination for property sales. The strategic partnership between IPS and the Dubai Land Department supports the objectives of the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033 and the wider Dubai Economic Agenda D33, both of which seek to strengthen the emirate’s global economic competitiveness.

When IPS 2026 opens its doors, attention will therefore extend well beyond the projects displayed across the exhibition halls. The event will offer an indication of where international investors are directing capital, what developers are preparing for the next phase of Dubai’s expansion and which technologies could reshape the property industry.

With a larger exhibition footprint, participation from major developers and a growing focus on institutional investment, IPS 2026 is set to provide an important test of international appetite for Dubai real estate as the market moves toward its next stage of development.