Emaar Leads Dubai Real Estate Market as Developer Activity Highlights Sector Strength in 2026
Dubai's residential property market continues to demonstrate strong momentum across both luxury and affordable segments, with Emaar maintaining its position as the emirate's leading developer by sales value, according to a new market report released by fäm Properties.
The analysis, based on DXBinteract data as of July 22, 2026, shows that Emaar generated AED 30.6 billion in residential sales this year, outperforming DAMAC, which recorded AED 16.7 billion in transactions.
Emaar Dominates Luxury Property Market
Emaar also led Dubai's ultra-luxury residential segment, recording 387 transactions for properties priced above AED 15 million, with a combined value of AED 8.4 billion.
The top five developers in the luxury segment are:
| Developer | Transactions | Sales Value |
|---|---|---|
| Emaar | 387 | AED 8.4 billion |
| Omniyat | 212 | AED 6.5 billion |
| H&H | 178 | AED 6.9 billion |
| Meraas | 135 | AED 3.4 billion |
| Nakheel | 80 | AED 2.4 billion |
In total, the luxury market recorded 1,248 transactions worth AED 35.16 billion during the period.
Azizi Tops Affordable Housing Segment
While Emaar dominated sales value, Azizi Developments emerged as the market leader by transaction volume, particularly in the affordable housing segment.
The developer recorded 8,411 residential sales transactions overall, including 8,095 properties priced below AED 2 million, valued at approximately AED 6.6 billion.
Top Developers for Properties Below AED 2 Million
| Developer | Transactions | Sales Value |
|---|---|---|
| Azizi | 8,095 | AED 6.6 billion |
| Binghatti | 4,268 | AED 4.5 billion |
| DAMAC | 2,247 | AED 2.5 billion |
| Samana | 1,716 | AED 1.7 billion |
| Emaar | 1,437 | AED 2.3 billion |
The affordable segment generated 22,930 transactions worth AED 23.82 billion.
Top Developers by Overall Sales in 2026
According to the report, the ten leading developers collectively recorded 36,808 residential transactions valued at AED 86.8 billion.
| Developer | Transactions | Sales Value |
|---|---|---|
| Azizi | 8,411 | AED 7.5 billion |
| DAMAC | 6,387 | AED 16.7 billion |
| Emaar | 5,550 | AED 30.6 billion |
| Binghatti | 5,188 | AED 7.9 billion |
| Ellington | 2,768 | AED 8.0 billion |
| Samana | 1,839 | AED 2.1 billion |
| Sobha | 1,731 | AED 5.5 billion |
| Danube | 1,695 | AED 3.6 billion |
| Imtiaz | 1,695 | AED 3.0 billion |
| Reportage | 1,544 | AED 1.9 billion |
Construction and Project Delivery
Emaar also led the market in project delivery and ongoing development activity.
Top Developers by Projects Delivered (2026):
- Emaar – 9
- DAMAC – 7
- Nakheel – 4
- Deyaar – 3
- Dubai Properties – 3
- Azizi – 3
Top Developers by Units Delivered:
- Emaar – 3,819
- DAMAC – 2,591
- Select Group – 1,502
- Deyaar – 1,435
- Continental Investments – 1,294
Emaar currently has 150 active projects under construction, the highest in Dubai, followed by DAMAC (113) and Azizi (55).
Reportage Leads New Project Launches
Among developers launching new communities in 2026, Reportage ranked first with 16 projects, ahead of Emaar with 11, Binghatti with 9, and DAMAC with 6.
Market Reflects Balanced Growth
Commenting on the findings, Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, said the performance of leading developers across both premium and affordable housing demonstrates the resilience of Dubai's property market.
According to Al Msaddi, sustained demand from both investors and end-users indicates that market activity is well diversified rather than concentrated within a single price segment, reflecting a healthy and balanced real estate sector.
