Miami Beach Approves New Long-Term Agreement with Art Basel
The Miami Beach City Commission has approved a new multi-year agreement ensuring that Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB) will continue to be hosted at the Miami Beach Convention Center through 2031.
The action reaffirms the city’s more than 20-year partnership with the world’s leading modern and contemporary art fair and Miami Beach’s most significant annual cultural and economic driver.
“Miami Beach and Art Basel have grown up together, sharing an inseparable legacy in contemporary art,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. “For more than two decades, Art Basel has shaped our cultural identity and economy, bringing extraordinary artistry and creative vision to our shores. This renewed agreement, with expanded benefits for our residents, ensures Miami Beach remains its home and inspiration.”
The approved resolution authorizes the City Manager to finalize a 2026–2031 Event License Agreement with Art Basel U.S. Corp., in coordination with OVG360, operator of the Miami Beach Convention Center. A companion Letter of Understanding outlines the framework for the designated “Art Basel Zone” and expands a series of longstanding public benefits for Miami Beach residents, students and cultural partners.
Since debuting in 2002, Art Basel Miami Beach has become the most influential contemporary art event in the Western Hemisphere. The 2025 fair attracted approximately 80,000 visitors and generated an estimated $570 million in economic impact across Miami-Dade County. Hotel occupancy, retail spending, dining activity, cultural programming and transportation demand all see significant increases throughout Art Basel week in Miami Beach, reinforcing the event’s broad citywide influence.
“Miami Beach has been central to Art Basel's history and global identity for nearly 25 years,” said Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel. “This agreement reflects a shared commitment to the next chapter of that partnership. We look forward to continuing to invest in the fair at the highest level, delivering an exceptional Art Basel Miami Beach, and building on its economic, cultural, and community impact for the city and its residents in the years ahead.”
The City Commission’s approval paves the way for continued collaboration and long-term planning between the city and Art Basel as the Convention Center District evolves with the addition of the new Convention Center Hotel.