diff --git a/sqlmesh/magics.py b/sqlmesh/magics.py
index 2b5f185aa9..f7caa56d66 100644
--- a/sqlmesh/magics.py
+++ b/sqlmesh/magics.py
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@
 
 from hyperscript import h
 
+if t.TYPE_CHECKING:
+    import pandas as pd
+
 try:
     from IPython.core.display import display  # type: ignore
 except ImportError:
@@ -690,7 +693,16 @@ def render(self, context: Context, line: str) -> None:
     def fetchdf(self, context: Context, line: str, sql: str) -> None:
         """Fetches a dataframe from sql, optionally storing it in a variable."""
         args = parse_argstring(self.fetchdf, line)
-        df = context.fetchdf(sql)
+
+        # Check if we're using Athena and use PandasCursor directly
+        if (
+            hasattr(context.engine_adapter, "DIALECT")
+            and context.engine_adapter.DIALECT == "athena"
+        ):
+            df = self._fetchdf_athena_pandas_cursor(context, sql)
+        else:
+            df = context.fetchdf(sql)
+
         if args.df_var:
             self._shell.user_ns[args.df_var] = df
         self.display(df)
@@ -1196,6 +1208,30 @@ def destroy(self, context: Context, line: str) -> None:
         """Removes all project resources, engine-managed objects, state tables and clears the SQLMesh cache."""
         context.destroy()
 
+    def _fetchdf_athena_pandas_cursor(self, context: Context, sql: str) -> pd.DataFrame:
+        """Special implementation for Athena using PandasCursor with SQLGlot transpilation"""
+
+        try:
+            from pyathena.pandas.cursor import PandasCursor
+            from pyathena import connect
+        except ImportError as e:
+            raise MagicError(f"PyAthena with pandas support is required: {e}")
+
+        try:
+            conn_config = context.config.get_connection(context.config.default_connection)
+            connection_kwargs = {
+                k: v
+                for k, v in conn_config.dict().items()
+                if k in conn_config._connection_kwargs_keys and v is not None
+            }
+            cursor = connect(cursor_class=PandasCursor, **connection_kwargs).cursor()
+            return cursor.execute(sql).as_pandas()
+
+        except Exception as e:
+            # Fall back to the regular fetchdf method if PandasCursor fails
+            context.console.log_error(f"PandasCursor failed, falling back to standard method: {e}")
+            return context.fetchdf(sql)
+
 
 def register_magics() -> None:
     try: