Dubai Metro station renaming guide: Which stations have new names?

Dubai: Over the past few months, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has renamed several Dubai Metro stations. These changes are part of the RTA’s ongoing naming rights programme, which allows companies to acquire branding rights at select stations across the network.

If you are unsure about the recent name changes or finding it difficult to identify certain stations, this guide will help you stay up to date with all the renamings that have taken place in recent years.

Dubai Metro station name changes in 2025

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced several station renamings across the Dubai Metro network in 2025 as part of long-term naming rights agreements with private companies.

On May 5, the UAE Exchange Metro Station was officially renamed Life Pharmacy Metro Station, following a 10-year naming rights deal granted to Life Pharmacy. This station, located in Jebel Ali along the Red Line, originally opened in March 2011 as Jebel Ali Metro Station. It was later renamed UAE Exchange on 30 June 2015 after a similar naming agreement.

The Life Pharmacy Metro Station remains unique as the only ground-level station in the Dubai Metro network, all others are either elevated or underground. It serves as a key access point for employees and residents of the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), connecting them to major industrial and commercial areas.

Earlier in the year, more renamings took place:

• In April, GGICO Metro Station was renamed Al Metro Garhoud Station.

• In March, Al Khail Metro Station became Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station.

Full list of renamed Dubai Metro stations

Here is a summary of the recent station name changes across both the Red and Green Lines:

• UAE Exchange Metro Station → Life Pharmacy Metro Station

• Al Khail Metro Station → Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station

• GGICO Metro Station → Al Garhoud Metro Station

• Mashreq Metro Station → InsuranceMarket.ae Metro Station

• Al Safa Metro Station → Onpassive Metro Station

• Umm Al Sheif Metro Station → Equiti Metro Station

• Al Rashidiya Metro Station → Centrepoint Metro Station

• Al Jaffliya Metro Station → Max Metro Station

• Dubai Marina Metro Station → Sobha Realty Metro Station

• Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) Metro Station → DMCC Metro Station

• Nakheel Harbour Metro Station → Jebel Ali Metro Station

• Original Jebel Ali Metro Station (now Life Pharmacy) was previously renamed UAE Exchange Metro Station

Green Line changes:

• Palm Deira Metro Station → Gold Souq Metro Station

• Al Fahidi Metro Station → Sharaf DG Metro Station

• Etisalat Metro Station → e& Metro Station, in line with the telecom company's rebranding 

Why do Dubai Metro stations change names?

Dubai Metro's station renaming initiative began in 2009 when RTA introduced its naming rights programme. This initiative aims to foster public-private partnerships. With Metro stations attracting high footfall, naming rights agreements provide brands with significant exposure.

How many stations are in the Dubai Metro?

The Dubai Metro is the world's longest driverless and fully automated metro rail network, It comprises two lines, the Red Line which has 35 stations and 20 stations on the Green Line. In total, Dubai Metro has 55 stations, including nine underground stops. For a detailed map of the Dubai Metro and Tram stations, visit RTA Metro Map : www.rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/public-transport/metro-stations-map

Dubai Metro Red Line

The Red Line starts at Centrepoint (formerly Rashidiya) station near Dubai International Airport and runs along Sheikh Zayed Road, connecting key areas like Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Business Bay, DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre), Dubai Marina (Sobha Realty), and Mall of the Emirates. At Jebel Ali Metro Station, the Red Line splits into two branches:

• One leads to Expo 2020 Metro Station (located in Expo City Dubai).

• The other continues to UAE Exchange Metro Station (now Life Pharmacy)  past the Jebel Ali Industrial Area.

In 2024, an improvement was made to the route and passengers no longer need to change trains at Jebel Ali, as direct services now operate between Centrepoint and Expo 2020, and Centrepoint and UAE Exchange (now Life Pharmacy) .

Dubai Metro Green Line

The Green Line runs from Etisalat Metro Station in Al Twar to Dubai Creek Metro Station. This route connects older parts of Dubai, such as the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Deira, and popular marketplaces like the Gold Souq and Spice Souq.

What are interchange stations?

Interchange stations allow passengers to switch between the Red and Green Lines. There are two main interchange stations are Burjuman Metro Station and Union Metro Station

Additionally, DMCC (Dubai Metro) and Sobha Realty (Dubai Metro) stations connect with the Dubai Tram network, providing further commuting flexibility.

Future expansion: The Blue Line

Set to commence operations by 2029, the Dubai Metro Blue Line will expand the network with 14 new stations across a 30 km route. This line will provide a direct link between Dubai International Airport and key locations including Mirdif, Al Warqa, International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Dubai Festival City. Construction will begin in April 2025 and will be completed in phases.