aTP- Arab tourism portal News
Fans from across the region guaranteed warm welcome as city gets behind Arab teams playing at 2018 World Cup in Russia
Hotels, sporting venues and restaurants throughout Dubai to host fan zones for month-long football tournament
Exciting atmosphere, great food and family-friendly activities on offer across the city
Dubai- Fans from across the Middle East who are heading to Dubai to watch the 2018 World Cup can expect a warm welcome as the city gears up to host a fun-packed festival of football.
With four Arab teams taking part in the world’s biggest sporting tournament, venues across Dubai will become a home from home for supporters cheering on the ‘local’ teams of Saudi Arabia and Egypt as well as Morocco and Tunisia.
Restaurants, beach clubs, hotels and sporting venues will be transformed into buzzing ‘home’ stadiums thanks to an influx of supporters from the Arab nations playing in Russia.
Excitement will be at fever pitch from the very first game of the 2018 World Cup, which will see hosts Russia take on Saudi Arabia on Thursday, June 14 – a great start to the weekend – with Egypt playing South America’s Uruguay the following day.
Morocco play their opening game against Iran on June 15, while Tunisia will get their tournament under way against England on Monday, June 18.
For supporters from the Middle East, the biggest game of the group stages will see Saudi Arabia take on Egypt on Monday, June 25.
Fans will be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing somewhere to watch the action, with almost every venue in Dubai becoming a hub for supporters from the region for the duration of the World Cup.
The city’s famous hospitality will be taken to the next level, with everything from luxury beachfront venues to new urban hot spots offering family-friendly activities, five-star food and a great atmosphere to rival the stadiums in Russia.
Alongside famous landmark destinations, a host of new locations will be opening their doors to supporters with a range of offerings catered to Middle Eastern football fans.
Spectators can rub shoulders with more than 2,000 people at the Atlantis, The Palm’s ‘ultimate’ World Cup Fan Zone, with each game screened live on a huge 28sqm screen.
Split into two distinct sections – ‘The Stadium’ and the more relaxed ‘The Bench’ – fans and their families can find the perfect spot to watch the games while enjoying fine food and soaking up the atmosphere.
Also on The Palm Jumeriah, the Fairmont the Palm Hotel will host its own luxurious World Cup tent, complete with picnic benches for families and groups of friends and even fake grass to help bring the outdoors indoors. Visitors to the tent can expect great food and beverages plus a superb fan experience.
Visitors to the Palm Jumeirah’s newest urban beach destination, Vista Mare, will be able to get into the swing of all things football related at Tap House. The award-winning gastro pub will serve a selection of international dishes from its extensive menu with great deals and competitions on offer to complement the stunning views and fun atmosphere.
Football fans can experience the excitement of the 2018 World Cup in the luxurious surroundings of the Mina A’Salam Hotel. The ballroom at the five-star property will be at the heart of the action throughout the tournament, with large screens, comfortable seating for groups of friends and food stations serving delicious bite-sized snacks from the hotel’s best restaurants.
Fans can enjoy a selection of specially prepared World Cup dishes from chefs at The Hide, Chinese eatery Zheng He, Arabic hot spot Khaymat Al Bahar, and Mexican favourite Tortuga. There will be also valet parking available at the Madinat Jumeirah hotel to ensure visitors don’t miss any of the action.
The ever-popular Emirates Golf Course will welcome supporters to its two-storey lounge specially designed for large groups of friends. Featuring one giant screen and more than 10 large TVs dotted around the venue, plus a host of food and drink options, this is a great place to watch the matches.
Visitors to the tourist hot spot JBR can watch the games at Lock, Stock and Barrel’s ‘Secret Garden’ venue in the Rixos Premium hotel. With its great Dubai Marina location, plus superb food and drinks offers, including curries and other favourites, this venue is sure to be popular with football fans.
Just a short walk along JBR, the Hilton Hotel is preparing its own fully air-conditioned and smoke-free fans zone at its Wavebreaker venue. The family-friendly tent will feature a special kids area with activities to keep the little ones happy while the adults settle down to watch the game.
On the other side of town, the Al Manzil Hotel in Downtown Dubai will show every game of the 2018 World Cup at its outdoor, air-conditioned fans tent. With big screens, a selection of Arabic and international menu options plus PlayStations for the kids, Al Manzil caters to everyone.
Visitors to the St. Regis – Al Habtoor City can enjoy the luxurious World Cup tent at Le Patio. Fully air-conditioned and able to accommodate large groups, Le Patio is the ideal choice for football fans who want to relax in comfort and some fine food while they watch the on-pitch action unfold on two huge 3.5-meter x 2.5-meter LED screens into the early morning.
Next door, Cook Hall at The Westin – Al Habtoor City offers a more traditional football viewing experience with big screens and specially prepared dishes including a mouth-watering slab of 36-hour slow-cooked barbecue ribs, plus deals and games to keep supporters entertained.
Dubai is home to two Four Seasons Hotels, with each venue offering supporters a great combination of live sports and superb food and drinks. The Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah Beach will host fans at its World Cup tent at SUQ, with a delicious menu inspired by the national cuisine of the teams that take the field.
Visitors to the Four Seasons DIFC hotel will be able to join guests in the Monogram Room, which will be fitted out with giant screens to show all the action live from Russia while enjoying a special a la carte menu.
With so many fans zones and World Cup tents popping up all over the city, supporters won’t be too far from a giant screen, a great atmosphere and some fabulous football throughout the 2018 World Cup.
