Andrea Bocelli to perform at the inaugural Yasalam Classics during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix week

Italian music legend Maestro Andrea Bocelli has been announced as the first artist for Yasalam Classics, a new concert series within the Yasalam presented by e& entertainment programme during the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 race week.

Bocelli will take to the stage at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on Wednesday, 2 December 2026, as the curtain rises on the region’s most anticipated week of sport and entertainment. He will be accompanied by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, celebrated for its luminous sound and expressive performances.

Yasalam Classics, produced by Ethara in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, adds to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’s entertainment programme, alongside After-Race Concerts and Official After-Parties.

This year’s lineup already features Lewis Capaldi, Zara Larsson and Imagine Dragons, with more artists to be announced. The new series brings music classics to the programme for the first time, broadening a race week entertainment offering that spans genres and generations.

Andrea Bocelli has captivated audiences worldwide for over three decades. Known for beloved classical crossover works including Con te partirò (Time to Say Goodbye), Canto della Terra and Ave Maria, Bocelli has sold more than 90 million records worldwide and performed at landmark events, including the Olympic Games and the World Cup.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Romanza, the album that established Bocelli as a global phenomenon. Released in 1997, it produced some of his most celebrated works and achieved platinum and diamond certifications in more than 20 countries. It is both the best-selling Italian-language album and the best-selling predominantly non-English language album of all time. The Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour celebrates that legacy across major cities worldwide, with his performance at Etihad Arena bringing the tour to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race week.

David Powell, Chief Portfolio and Strategy Officer at Ethara, said: “Yasalam Classics is a significant addition to the star-studded Abu Dhabi Grand Prix entertainment programme, and Andrea Bocelli is the perfect artist to launch it. His performance will bring a different dimension to race week and reflects our ambition to stage the biggest and most exciting entertainment event of the year.”

Tickets go on general sale on Wednesday, June 17 at 1pm at ticketmaster.ae and etihadarena.ae.