For a brief moment, Dubai looked set to become home to one of the world’s most ambitious indoor theme parks. Fans could have explored attractions inspired by Pokémon, Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, Power Rangers, Assassin’s Creed, Barbie and many more—all inside a single mega attraction.
The project was called IMG Worlds of Legends, and it was expected to become the Dubai Pokémon Park fans had always imagined.
So why was it never built?
Here’s what happened.
1. The Dubai Pokémon Park Was Announced In 2016
In December 2016, IMG Worlds revealed plans for IMG Worlds of Legends, a new 2-million-square-foot indoor theme park next to IMG Worlds of Adventure.
The project immediately attracted international attention because of its enormous scale and its impressive collection of entertainment brands.
At the time, Pokémon Go had become one of the biggest gaming phenomena in the world, making the planned Pokémon land one of the most anticipated attractions.
2. It Was Never Just About Pokémon
Although many people now remember it as the planned Dubai Pokémon Park, the project was much bigger.
Developers announced nine themed lands featuring globally recognised franchises, including:
- Pokémon
- Naruto
- Dragon Ball Z
- One Piece
- Assassin’s Creed
- Raving Rabbids
- Just Dance
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Power Rangers
- Barbie
- Hot Wheels
- Thomas & Friends
- Cartoon Network characters
It would have been one of the largest collections of licensed entertainment brands ever assembled inside a single indoor theme park.
3. Construction Never Actually Started
One important detail often overlooked is that the Dubai Pokémon Park never entered the construction phase.
When the announcement was made, developers were still completing the design process.
Although concept artwork and project specifications were released, no groundbreaking ceremony was ever announced, and no construction work began on the proposed site.
4. No Official Reason Was Ever Given
Many people assume the project was officially cancelled.
In reality, no official public explanation has ever been provided.
Developers initially stated that construction schedules and financing details would be announced after the design phase. Those updates never arrived.
Over time, public communication simply stopped.
Because no formal statement explaining the project’s fate has been released, any specific reason remains speculative.
5. It Would Have Been One Of Dubai’s Biggest Theme Parks
The scale of the project was extraordinary.
Plans included:
- A 2-million-square-foot indoor park
- Nine themed lands
- A retractable roof that could open during cooler months
- More than 104,000 square feet of restaurants
- More than 102,000 square feet of retail
- A pedestrian sky bridge connecting directly to IMG Worlds of Adventure
Had it been completed, the Dubai Pokémon Park would have ranked among the world’s largest indoor entertainment destinations.
6. Industry Experts Believe Several Factors May Have Played A Role
Since no official explanation exists, industry publications have pointed to several possible factors.
These include the enormous cost of constructing a project of this size, the complexity of managing licensing agreements across multiple global entertainment companies, and changing investment priorities in Dubai’s tourism sector over the following years.
None of these explanations have been confirmed by the developer, but together they help explain why such an ambitious proposal may have struggled to move beyond the planning stage.
7. Today, Only The Concept Art Remains
Nearly a decade later, the land beside IMG Worlds of Adventure remains undeveloped.
Unlike projects that stop midway through construction, the Dubai Pokémon Park never broke ground.
Today, the project survives only through archived announcements, concept illustrations and industry reports documenting what could have become one of Dubai’s most exciting entertainment destinations.
Could It Still Happen?
There has been no indication that IMG Worlds of Legends is returning.
The developer has not announced any plans to revive the project, and no new construction activity has been reported on the proposed site.
While the concept continues to generate discussion among theme park enthusiasts, there is currently no evidence that the original project will move forward.
Final Thoughts
The Dubai Pokémon Park remains one of Dubai’s biggest “what if” stories.
IMG Worlds of Legends promised to bring together some of the world’s most recognisable entertainment brands under one roof, creating a destination unlike any other. But despite the excitement surrounding its 2016 announcement, the project never progressed beyond the planning stage.
Without an official explanation from the developer, the Dubai Pokémon Park remains an ambitious vision that never became reality—and one that fans still wish had opened.
