Abu Dhabi is set for a surge of early-2000s nostalgia as American rock band The Calling confirms its first-ever Middle East performance, scheduled for February 14, 2026. The concert will take place at 321 Sports, Hudayriyat Island, as part of the AccessPass Music & Sports Festival, with pre-registration for tickets now open.Organisers say the show will be one of the festival’s signature headliners, marking a major milestone for Abu Dhabi’s growing live-events scene.
The Calling concert date and venue revealed
Mark your calendars for a memorable date: The Calling will perform in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, February 14, 2026. This concert is perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day, offering a dose of rock nostalgia for the holiday.The group will be the main draw at the inaugural AccessPass Music & Sports Festival. This exciting new festival will be hosted at 321 Sports on Hudayriat Island, a prime waterfront destination in Abu Dhabi known for its sporting events and recreational facilities.
Who’s in the band and when did they start?
The Calling was founded in Los Angeles back in 1996 by the two core members: frontman and lead vocalist Alex Band and guitarist Aaron Kamin. The duo first began writing songs as teenagers, originally gigging under names like “Generation Gap” before settling on The Calling in 1999, right before signing their record deal. After achieving international success with their 2001 debut, the group went on hiatus in 2005. However, Alex Band, the continuous figure and voice of the band, reformed the group in 2013 and has been consistently touring since 2016 with a new, professional line-up. This new incarnation of The Calling continues to perform their classic hits while also recording new music, including their 2024 single, “Stand Up Now.“
Ticket information and pre-registration
As this concert is part of the launch of a brand-new event, securing your entry requires a specific action. AccessPass Music & Sports Festival tickets are initially being offered through a dedicated pre-registration process.Here is where you need to go to ensure you don’t miss out:
- You must pre-register your interest to receive updates and gain access to the ticket sales.
- Head to the festival’s official platform AccessPass Website
Keep a close eye on your email after pre-registering, as this is how you will receive details on ticket prices and the official sale dates for this historic first Middle Eastern show.
Why this matters for Abu Dhabi?
This concert is part of Abu Dhabi’s push to bring international legacy acts to new cultural venues like Hudayriyat. With its festival format, outdoor setting and global headliners, AccessPass is positioning the emirate as a rising entertainment hub.
