MGM Resorts Dubai Complex to Open in Q3 2027

MGM Resorts International has confirmed that its long-awaited Dubai resort will be finished in the third quarter of 2027, as the company presses ahead with efforts to secure approval for on-site gaming. Speaking during the company’s April 30 financial call, CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle said construction on the 26-acre man-made island development is progressing rapidly, with the resort tower already rising five floors above ground.

“We are building an environment that can accommodate [gaming],” Hornbuckle told analysts and reporters. “And that building is due to complete third quarter of ’27. We are literally up on the fifth floor of the MGM Tower as we speak. And so it’s a pretty exciting building. It’s an exciting project, a truly interesting resort with all kinds of features. And so hopefully, we’ll get to add gaming.”

First announced nearly two decades ago under the working name “The Island,” the integrated resort will feature properties branded under MGM’s Aria, Bellagio and MGM Resorts names. Located along Dubai’s coastline, the development aims to bring the Las Vegas resort experience to the United Arab Emirates, offering luxury accommodations, world-class entertainment, dining venues, retail outlets and leisure facilities spread across an artificial island.

Approval for casino operations remains key to MGM’s strategy in Dubai, where gambling is currently prohibited under federal law. Hornbuckle emphasized that MGM Resorts is working closely with local and national regulators to obtain the necessary license. “We’ve been trying to break into the UAE for around twenty years,” he said in a briefing with Skift earlier this month. “The strategy has always been to build the right product, in the right place, with the right partners, and let the authorities come to see how beneficial it can be for tourism and economic growth.”

MGM Resorts’ announcement comes at a time when Dubai is expanding its hospitality and entertainment offerings to attract new visitor segments. The emirate has already established itself as a luxury travel destination, and regulators have shown openness to diversifying tourism beyond traditional family-friendly attractions. A successful casino license for MGM could set a precedent for future integrated resorts in the region.

Construction of the island complex is being handled by a consortium of international firms. MGM has invested substantial capital into the project, with the goal of delivering a resort that rivals its high-end Las Vegas counterparts. When complete, the Dubai campus is expected to feature multiple hotel towers, expansive convention space, a marina, water park and performance venues capable of hosting major concerts and sporting events.

MGM Resorts has not disclosed the total investment cost for the Dubai development, but analysts estimate it could exceed several billion dollars once all phases are finished. The project is anticipated to boost MGM’s international revenue significantly, diversifying the company’s portfolio beyond its North American resort holdings.

Looking ahead, MGM management indicated that they will provide further updates on financing, design details and potential casino licensing milestones as the project advances. “This is not just about building another hotel,” Hornbuckle noted. “It’s about creating a landmark destination that will define entertainment and hospitality in the region for years to come.”

For investors and industry observers, MGM’s renewed commitment to its Dubai resort underscores the growing importance of the Middle East in global tourism and gaming markets. With the third-quarter 2027 completion target now officially set, MGM Resorts is one step closer to realizing its vision of a world-class integrated resort in one of the fastest-growing leisure destinations on the planet.

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