Dubai’s real estate market continued to demonstrate significant activity in 2026, supported by demand across residential, investment, luxury, and off-plan properties.
According to DXBinteract data cited in the report, Emaar ranked first among Dubai developers by total sales value during the first seven months of 2026, recording AED 31 billion in sales. DAMAC followed in second place with AED 17.2 billion.
These figures reveal more than just which developer sold the most. Comparing total sales value, transaction volume, and average transaction value provides a clearer picture of the different segments driving Dubai’s property market.
Dubai’s Real Estate Market in 2026
Dubai entered 2026 following several years of strong real estate activity.
During the first half of 2026 alone, Dubai recorded approximately AED 286.43 billion in property sales across 79,229 transactions, according to Dubai Land Department data reported by Khaleej Times. (Khaleej Times)
The numbers demonstrate the scale of the market, but developer-level data also highlights an important trend: different companies are achieving billions of dirhams in sales through very different strategies.
Some developers depend on high transaction volumes, while others focus on premium and ultra-luxury properties with much higher average transaction values.
Top 10 Dubai Developers in the First Seven Months of 2026
According to the DXBinteract figures cited in the report, the ranking was:
| Rank | Developer | Sales Value | Transactions | Avg. Transaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emaar | AED 31B | 5,636 | AED 5.5M |
| 2 | DAMAC | AED 17.2B | 6,561 | AED 2.6M |
| 3 | Azizi | AED 8.4B | 9,428 | AED 891K |
| 4 | Binghatti | AED 8.35B | 5,395 | AED 1.5M |
| 5 | Ellington | AED 8.3B | 2,847 | AED 2.9M |
| 6 | H&H | AED 7.8B | 255 | AED 30.5M |
| 7 | Meraas | AED 7.7B | 968 | AED 8M |
| 8 | OMNIYAT | AED 7B | 215 | AED 32.5M |
| 9 | BEYOND | AED 6.9B | 1,315 | AED 5.3M |
| 10 | Sobha | AED 5.7B | 1,820 | AED 3.1M |
One of the most interesting findings is that ranking by total sales value produces a very different picture from ranking by the number of transactions.
Emaar Leads with AED 31 Billion in Sales
Emaar ranked first with approximately AED 31 billion in sales from 5,636 transactions, giving it an average transaction value of around AED 5.5 million.
The figures show that Emaar did not need to record the largest number of transactions to lead the ranking. Its relatively high average transaction value helped push its overall sales substantially ahead of its competitors.
The developer has also continued expanding its Dubai portfolio. In June 2026, Emaar announced plans for a massive new urban development valued at nearly $55 billion, covering around 4.5 million square metres and designed to accommodate approximately 150,000 residents. (Reuters)
DAMAC: More Transactions, Lower Average Value
DAMAC Properties ranked second with AED 17.2 billion in sales from 6,561 transactions.
Interestingly, DAMAC recorded more transactions than Emaar but generated a lower total sales value.
The difference can partly be explained by average transaction value: DAMAC's average was approximately AED 2.6 million, compared with Emaar's AED 5.5 million.
This illustrates an important point when evaluating real estate developers: transaction volume alone does not determine market leadership.
Sales value, pricing, property type, and the market segment targeted by each developer must also be considered.
Azizi Records the Highest Number of Transactions
Azizi Developments ranked third by total sales value at approximately AED 8.4 billion.
However, Azizi recorded 9,428 transactions, the highest transaction volume among the ten developers included in the ranking.
Its average transaction value stood at approximately AED 891,000, significantly below those of Emaar, DAMAC, and several luxury-focused developers.
The numbers therefore suggest a different sales model: a comparatively lower average ticket size combined with a much larger number of transactions.
A Close Race Between Azizi, Binghatti, and Ellington
The third, fourth, and fifth positions were remarkably close in terms of total sales:
- Azizi: AED 8.4 billion
- Binghatti: AED 8.35 billion
- Ellington: AED 8.3 billion
However, the number of transactions behind those totals differed significantly.
Binghatti generated AED 8.35 billion from 5,395 transactions, while Ellington Properties achieved AED 8.3 billion from only 2,847 transactions.
This highlights how developers operating in different price segments can generate almost identical total sales values through very different transaction volumes.
The Ultra-Luxury Segment Stands Out
Perhaps the most striking figures in the ranking come from H&H and OMNIYAT.
H&H generated approximately AED 7.8 billion from only 255 transactions, resulting in an average transaction value of about AED 30.5 million.
OMNIYAT recorded an even higher average, generating AED 7 billion from only 215 transactions, equivalent to approximately AED 32.5 million per transaction.
These figures illustrate the scale of Dubai's ultra-luxury property segment.
Instead of relying on thousands of transactions, luxury-focused developers can generate billions of dirhams in sales from a relatively small number of high-value properties.
What Do the Numbers Tell Us About Dubai’s Property Market?
The ranking reveals three broad developer strategies operating simultaneously.
High value combined with significant volume: Emaar and DAMAC represent developers capable of generating thousands of transactions while maintaining substantial average property values.
Volume-driven sales: Developers such as Azizi and Binghatti generate large transaction numbers at comparatively lower average values.
Luxury and ultra-luxury: H&H, OMNIYAT and, to some extent, Meraas demonstrate how a smaller number of premium transactions can produce billions of dirhams in sales.
This diversity is important because it shows that Dubai's property market is not dependent on a single buyer profile or price category.
Off-Plan Property Remains an Important Part of the Market
Off-plan properties also continue to play an important role in Dubai's real estate sector.
An analysis of Dubai Land Department transaction records for H1 2026 found that off-plan activity continued to grow even as parts of the broader residential market experienced slower transaction volumes. (Projectory)
Off-plan developments can offer buyers access to newly launched projects and structured payment plans, but buyers still need to assess the individual project, developer, contractual terms, expected completion date, and total costs rather than relying on headline sales figures alone.
Does Higher Developer Sales Mean a Better Investment?
Not necessarily.
A developer's total sales provide a useful indication of market activity and the scale of its projects, but they do not automatically mean every property offered by that developer represents a strong investment opportunity.
A property buyer should consider factors such as:
- Location
- Property price and price per square foot
- Construction and finishing quality
- Expected completion date
- Rental demand
- Service charges
- Resale potential
- Developer delivery history
The performance of the individual project remains more important than the developer's position in a sales ranking.
What Do the 2026 Figures Mean for Property Buyers?
The data demonstrates just how diverse Dubai's property market has become.
Some developers are selling thousands of relatively accessible units, while others focus on premium properties worth several million dirhams. At the very top of the market, average transaction values can exceed AED 30 million.
Therefore, the most important question for a buyer or investor is not simply:
“Who is Dubai's biggest developer?”
A more useful question is:
“Which developer, project, location, and price segment best match my property goals?”
Conclusion
The first seven months of 2026 show strong competition among Dubai's leading real estate developers.
Emaar led the ranking with approximately AED 31 billion in sales, followed by DAMAC with AED 17.2 billion, while Azizi recorded the highest transaction volume among the developers in the reported ranking.
At the same time, developers such as H&H and OMNIYAT demonstrate the strength of Dubai's ultra-luxury market, where just a few hundred transactions can generate several billion dirhams in sales.
For buyers and investors, developer sales figures can provide valuable insight into market activity, but they should be considered alongside project quality, location, pricing, rental potential, and long-term objectives.
Through Shanashel, we continue to cover real estate news and market developments across Iraq and the region, helping readers better understand the trends shaping today's property markets.