The 2026 editions of Frieze London and Frieze Masters attracted a record number of representatives from 426 institutions across 51 countries and regions while welcoming 95,000 visitors from 108 countries between October 14 and 18. Attendance from India and China more than doubled compared with 2025 with increases also recorded from Hong Kong, Korea, the UAE and Brazil according to a Frieze press release. Sales reported at Frieze London included a new painting by Michaël Borremans placed for $1.5 million and a work by Dana Schutz for $900,000 while Frieze Masters saw a still life by Jan Brueghel the Elder change hands for around £5 million.
The Art Newspaper reported a shift in balance at Frieze Masters towards the Global South with more non-Western art represented alongside galleries from North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. The Spotlight section curated by Devika Singh and Sofia Gotti of the Courtauld Institute of Art presented its largest edition to date focusing on pioneering mid-century work from those regions between the 1950s and late 1970s. Six galleries specialising in South Asian art featured in the section where the boom in Indian modern art became apparent through multiple sales.
Coverage in the South Asian Herald described the fairs as a celebration of art, culture, fashion and friendship. Kolkata and Delhi-based Akar Prakar sold three works by 90-year-old painter Ganesh Haloi with prices around £35,000 for drawings and £130,000 for larger paintings most of them to Indian collectors including the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art. Mumbai-based Akara Art which was participating for the first time pre-sold sculptures by Piraji Sagara priced from £40,000 to £250,000 primarily to Indian buyers.
Frieze London presented 172 galleries from 42 countries and regions with curated sections that included Artist-to-Artist supported by Tiffany and Co. and the new Code Universe led by Carol Yinghua Lu. Sold-out presentations in various sections featured emerging artists such as Unathi Mkonto at Goodman Gallery and Yuli Serfaty at Xxijra Hii according to the organisers. Frieze Masters spanned ancient civilisations to postwar art with nearly 140 galleries from 30 countries and regions including first-time participants such as Patrick Bourne and Co. and Mohtashemi.
Frieze Sculpture provided a free outdoor complement in the English Gardens of Regent’s Park with works on view from September 16 until November 1. The display connected the two fairs located a short walk apart within the park and featured major pieces by international artists. Fashion crossovers during Frieze Week included a JW Anderson pop-up that ran alongside the fairs from October 15 to 21.
A total of almost 300 galleries from 48 countries and regions took part across both fairs which ran concurrently at Regent’s Park. The events included guided tours some in British Sign Language and ticketed access that ranged from early preview sessions to general admission on the final days. Organisers reported that museums and foundations from Europe, Asia and the United States purchased directly from galleries at both events.
