The world-famous musical Wicked is coming to the Middle East, and it’s landing in not one but two regional cultural capitals.

It was originally announced that the Kingdom's capital city of Riyadh will host the iconic Broadway production from December 3 to 20, 2025 at the King Fahad Cultural Center, followed by its highly anticipated Dubai Opera debut from 28 January 28 to February 15, 2026.

But, there has been some good news for those looking to go to Wicked the Musical, as the Riyadh run has been extended by an additional two weeks. The Broadway production will now run from December 3, 2025 to January 3, 2026.

The move marks a milestone for the region’s fast-growing entertainment scene, reflecting both Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions and Dubai’s positioning as a global arts hub. Together, the back-to-back stagings bring one of the most successful musicals in theatre history, with more than 70 million fans across 130 cities worldwide, to Middle Eastern audiences for the very first time.

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Riyadh’s staging, organised by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) in collaboration with Broadway Entertainment Group, will bring over 100 cast and crew, 350 dazzling costumes, and a full orchestra to the Kingdom’s capital. For Saudi Arabia, hosting Wicked signals another step in expanding the cultural landscape, with RCRC highlighting its commitment to delivering world-class experiences for all segments of society.

Dubai Opera’s run, meanwhile, is being billed as “a history-in-the-making moment” by Broadway Entertainment Group. With couture-level costumes, reimagined sets, and an unforgettable flying sequence where Elphaba soars above the audience, the Dubai production promises a theatrical spectacle unlike anything the region has seen before.

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At its core, Wicked reimagines the story of the witches of Oz, following the unlikely friendship and rivalry between Elphaba and Glinda. Themes of identity, courage, and the blurred lines between good and evil unfold through Stephen Schwartz’s soaring score, with favourites like Defying Gravity and Popular set to captivate audiences in both cities.

With the recent success of the Wicked film starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo reigniting global interest, tickets for both the Riyadh and Dubai shows are expected to be in high demand. For Riyadh, they are available now via wicked.platinumlist.net

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