The FIFA World Cup is being held in Qatar, but Dubai is laying out the red carpet for soccer lovers. Here are the best fan zones, restaurants, and hotels in Dubai to cheer your team from.
The FIFA World Cup in Qatar has turned the spotlight on the oil-rich Gulf nation, and the tourism hotspot of Dubai is reaping the benefits. With hotel prices skyrocketing and doubts being raised over infrastructure and accommodation availability in Qatar as well as the stringent rules, many fans are making Dubai their base to enjoy the world’s most watched sporting event.
All roads lead to Dubai
The advantages of visiting Dubai this month are many. First, the city is an already established tourism destination in the Middle East and boasts of excellent infrastructure and facilities. Second, Dubai is far more liberal and permissive than many of its Gulf counterparts in terms of food, drinks, and lifestyle. And third, the government and private enterprises have taken full advantage of being in the neighbourhood, rolling out several WC-related offers to entice tourists.
For instance, the UAE is offering multiple entry visas at a nominal feel of AED 100 to those with tickets for the matches. Moreover, the city is gearing up with fan zones at parks, beaches, and special offers at hotels including shuttle flights and transport to the airport. Finally, restaurants and clubs are literally going all out to make every match a memorable viewing experience with irresistible deals.
From the best food and dining recommendations to luxury stays and budget options, here’s a glimpse of what to expect in Dubai during the FIFA World Cup this winter.
1. Emirate Leisure Outlets
Forget the swish hotels, restaurants, and bars. FIFA World Cup fun starts right at Dubai International Airport which has transformed some of its lounges into soccer fan zones with special decor, country flags, and festive trees sporting football baubles. Whether you are in transit or catching a flight out of the city, prepared to be welcomed by a range of fabulous World Cup deals, competitions, and big screen action at Emirate Leisure Retail’s (ELR) restaurants and sports lounges across the airport. Jacks’s Bar and Grill, The Hangar, The Sports Shack and The Draft House at Concourses A, B, C, and D are open 24/7. So if a match is on, depending on your flight timings, you can check into any of them and watch a game before take-off while relishing finger-licking burgers, shawarmas, fries, hops, and more. Each venue boasts of state-of-the-art screens, special F&B offers and interesting WC-themed decor (watch out for the pool table and the twin-screen PlayStation installation at The Sports Shack at Concourse C) that will guarantee you don’t have a dull moment when you step inside DXB.
Where: Dubai International Airport
Time: 24/7
Hotel recommendations near Dubai International Airport:
Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport
Premier Inn Dubai International Airport
Jumeirah Creekside Hotel
2. Atelier M
When it comes to fine dining options, Pier 7, the premier harbourside lifestyle destination in Dubai Marina housing seven unique venues with gorgeous terraces and breath-taking views of the city, is in a league of its own. It is here that Atelier M, an ultra-romantic restaurant, lounge, and rooftop is located. For FIFA, Atelier M is offering guests an opportunity to catch the most anticipated matches in an extravagant setting with special deals on gourmet bites and beverages. If you choose to stay in or around Dubai Marina, Atelier M should be your chosen football viewing venue. Cheer for your favourite team while biting into Margherita Pizzas, Curry Chicken Pizzas, Buffalo Chicken Wings, and Sweet Potato Fries among other delicacies. Special beverage packages are also available including buckets and pints of select hops as well as a three-litre hop tower!
Where: Pier 7, Dubai Marina
Time: 6 pm onwards
For more information: +971 4 450 7766; info@atelierm.ae
Hotel recommendations at and near Dubai Marina:
Address Dubai Marina
Address Beach Resort
Grosvenor House
Intercontinental Dubai Marina
3. Ernst Biergarten & Wirtshaus
German fans, this is your place to see and be seen at! One of the coolest venues in the city to catch soccer action, ERNST Biergarten & Wirtshaus, the famed Bavarian tavern at the glamorous 25Hours Hotel One Central, offers guests a fabulous place and authentic German fare with litres of imported German beer to wash it all down. With multiple screens posted at every corner of the restaurant plus a large screen stationed in their outdoor area, you can enjoy front row seats to watch favourite teams battle it out. The menu boasts of delicious German spreads including their signature Schweinshaxe or pork knuckles, Weisswurst or original Bavarian sausage, traditional Bavarian pretzels, Wiener schnitzel or veal escalope, and more.
Where: 25Hours Hotel One Central, World Trade Centre Complex, SZ Road
Time: Sunday to Thursday, 12 pm – 2 am; Friday to Saturday, 12 pm – 1 am
For more information: +971 4 210 2511; dubai@ernstbiergarten.com
Hotel recommendations at and near World Trade Centre:
25Hours Hotel One Central
Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Conrad
Fairmont
Sheraton Grand Hotel
4. Garden on 8
The upscale Dubai Media City is a business and media hub, but it has some rather fun hangouts, topping the list of which is the lively Garden on 8, at Media One Hotel. The venue is casual and warm, perfect to swing by after a day of shopping at Dubai Marina or the Mall of the Emirates. With screens dotted around the restaurant and a massive one posted up at the terrace, you won’t miss a minute of the on-field action even as you tuck into fan favourite comfort foods like their iconic 50cm Hot Dog, Burgers, Wings, and Nachos. Spicing things up are live entertainment activities, the participating countries’ national anthems, and dancers dressed in the teams’ national dress. You will not miss being at the stadium in the least bit.
Where: Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City
Time: Daily, 12 pm till 2 am
For more information: 971 4 427 1000; +971 52 278 4071 (WhatsApp); gardenon8@mediaonehotel.com
Hotel recommendations near Dubai Media City:
Media One Hotel
Radission Blu
Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites
Arjaan by Rotana
5. Factory Bar + Kitchen by McGettigan’s
The newly opened Factory Bar + Kitchen by McGettigan’s at the stunning Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah has television sets scattered around the venue and a massive central bar, offering fans a chance to cheer their favourites both indoors and outdoors. With the dip in temperatures, we recommend the outdoor space — Factory Garden — that has ample seating and dedicated bars.
Factory Bar + Kitchen has curated a special food menu featuring top bites such as Factory Wings, Smoked Paprika Popcorn, Pulled Beef Slider Guinness, Chicken Buffalo Wrap, Herbs Cod Strips, and Smashed Baby Potato. The snazzy branded bar is where you can pick up buckets of hops to share, along with other selections of wine, cocktails, and mocktails à la carte.
Going all out for the most awaited football tournament in the world, CLAW BBQ, at the same venue, offers branded décor, hearty American fare, and plenty of large and bright screens. With several screens spread across the area and an unmissable indoor projector, CLAW BBQ will air multiple games at the same time, so don’t worry about missing even a single winning moment. The restaurant has also created a stadium vibe especially for the qualifying games where you can purchase ‘stadium tickets’ that can be redeemed on food and beverages — AED 200 per person for quarterfinals and AED 250 per person for the finals. How cool is that?
Where: Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah
Time: Monday–Friday: 4 pm–3 am; Saturday and Sunday: 12 pm–3 am
For more information: +971 4 230 0063; DXBPJ.Factory@Hilton.com
CLAW BBQ
Time: Sunday–Thursday: 12 pm–2 am; Friday and Saturday: 12 pm–3 am
For more information: +971 4 230 0054; info@clawbbq.com
Hotel recommendations at Palm Jumeirah:
Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Fairmont the Palm
One&Only The Palm
Rixos the Palm Hotel & Suites
Anantara the Palm Dubai Resort
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
6. Isola Ristorante
This one is for lazy loungers who love their soccer. Catch all the action while chilling around the pool at the stately Isola Ristorante at the Jumeirah Island Clubhouse, a new lifestyle, fitness, and dining centre in the Jumeirah Islands area. Isola makes for a unique locale to enjoy the beautiful game in a resort-like ambiance with a large and bright LED screen posted in the azure pool of the Clubhouse along with authentic Italian fare being served all around. You can opt for one of the three distinct packages and enjoy sunbed relaxation while watching the games. Cabanas are also available for a minimum spend of AED 600 for three people with AED 450 redeemable on F&B. We are not sure if it can match the energy of a sports bar or pub but for a more intimate and lush viewing experience at a club, Isola offers a pretty good deal.
Where: Jumeirah Islands Clubhouse, Jumeirah Islands
Time: Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 11 pm; Friday – Sunday: 8 am – 11 pm
For more information: +971 4 583 3124; info@isolarestaurant.com
7. Mr Toad’s
Mr Toad’s, the friendly British pub and sports bar located at all Premier Inn hotels across the city, rolls out its World Cup campaign with great deals, an electric atmosphere, and a host of prizes including an England shirt signed by legendary England and Liverpool player John Barnes. On offer are a special round-the-world menu, steal-deals on drinks (five bottles for just AED 120, draft hops at AED 35, and a glass of wine at AED 27) and giant high-definition screens and daily competitions. Food takes centre stage with special snacks inspired by the world’s famous soccer-playing countries and regions. Expect a side of fries and burgers, each served on a football-shaped bun with a choice of Meatball Burger with Bolognese Sauce, Emmental Cheese and Stuffed Portobello Mushroom, or the Chicken Shawarma Burger, served with spiced Tahini and chips Oman. A close second is the Moroccan Lamb Skewers (representing Africa), Gamja Dog (Asia), Truffled ‘Croak’ Monsieur (Europe), Choripan (South America), or Fish Fingers and Chips (UK). To sweeten the deal, Mr Toad’s gives you a chance to win a football shirt signed by John Barnes where all you need to do is click a picture with their Instagram frame and tag @mrtoadsme, to enter.
Where: All Premier Inn properties at Barsha Heights, Ibn Batutta Mall, Al Jaddaf, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Investment Park, and Dubai International Airport
Time: Match with game timings
For more information: mena.premierinn.com/en/contact-us
Hotel recommendations: Premier Inn at all the aforementioned areas
8. The Screening Room
Now this is a unique experience. If going to a crowded lounge or pub isn’t your scene and you’d rather cosy up with close friends without having to worry whether you will get the best seat in the house, book The Screening Room at Studio One Hotel. Catch every monumental goal and soak in the atmosphere on a big screen with pizza from the Italian restaurant Larte, and a choice of either beer, wine, or prosecco. This is your home theatre experience like none other, especially when you are so far away from home!
Where: Studio One Hotel, Dubai Studio City
Date and Time: Dependent upon request/booking
For more information: +971 52 767 9300; letsmeet@studioonehotel.com
Hotel recommendations at and near Dubai Studio City:
Studio One Hotel
Radisson Dubai Damac Hills
9. The Dubliner’s, Meridien Village Terrace, Warehouse
One of Dubai’s most famous hotels offers football fans three locations to cheer on their home nation with a refreshing pint in hand. The first is the delightful al fresco at Meridien Village Terrace that has an impressive menu of great casual classics and a far-reaching drinks list, making it an ideal spot for enjoying the game. All matches will be screened here.
The second hotspot is the popular Irish joint, The Dubliner’s — a venue with 14 screens and traditional Irish hospitality.
And finally, there is the Warehouse, where you can book your own table and relish a highly-recommended menu, loaded with sharing platters and tournament specials. Highlight dishes include Fried Mac and Cheese, Chili Mayo and Loaded Nachos with Cheese, Jalapenos, Beans and Sour Cream. Group packages are available on request.
Where: Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, Airport Road, Garhoud
Time: As per match timings
For more information: 04 217 0000
Hotel recommendations Near the Airport:
Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
Aloft Dubai Airport
Movenpick Grand Al Bustaan
Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City
10. Barasti Beach Bar
If you are in Dubai, how can you not hit the beach? And if you are planning to hit the beach, how can you not visit the most popular beach bar of them all —Barasti? One of the city’s long-standing sports bar haunt and beach clubs is screening every FIFA World Cup match at the ‘Barasti Beach Stadium’. Sit back and sip on a couple of cold ones with your toes in the sand and a huge 12×7 wide screen in front of you. Adding to the fun are the theatrics such as C02 canons, a laser light show, and flame throwers, all making for extremely ’grammable moments. Free entry through the players’ neon light tunnel takes you straight to the heart of the action, where there will be live BBQ stations and food counters with incredible drink deals of 6, 12, 24, and 48 bottle buckets to share with friends along with interactive sessions, games and entertainment. And after the match, the beach party begins with a live band and DJ music that carries late into the night. It truly cannot get better than this!
Where: Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, Dubai Marina
Time: Monday–Friday: 9 am–2 am; Saturday and Sunday: 9 am–3 am
For more information: 04 318 1313; www.instagram.com/barastibeach/
Hotel recommendations at and near Dubai Marina:
Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark
W Dubai Mina Seyahi
Radisson Blu Dubai Media City
Habtoor Grand Resort
One&Only Royal Mirage
11. Arena By Palazzo Versace Dubai
It doesn’t get more luxurious, more opulent, and more OTT than Palazzo Versace Dubai which has come up with a very exciting deal for FIFA World Cup. Their brand-new world class live screening and entertainment venue, Arena by Palazzo Versace Dubai, is an al fresco fan zone this season with juicy F&B offers, a great line-up of live entertainment during matches, enthralling dinners shows, and a chance to win tickets to the games. Catch the action on the huge outdoor screen, set amidst the sprawling outdoor lawns of the hotel in the backdrop of the Dubai Creek enjoying a specially curated menu. The theatrical shows throughout the World Cup includes live acts, music performances, a dance show featuring flags of the participating teams, acrobatic and salsa performances, and freestyle football acts.
And here comes the clincher, especially for tourists. Offering a luxurious stay during your visit to the region, the hotel will take care of your shuttle flights from Dubai to Doha and back, for a minimum stay of three nights. The package, starting from AED 3,600 includes breakfast, two-way airport transfers, and facilitation of flight booking directly through their airline partners.
Where: Palazzo Versace Dubai, Al Jaddaf
Time: As per match timings
For more information: +971 4 556 8805; dining@palazzoversace.ae
Hotel recommendations at Al Jaddaf:
Palazzo Versace Dubai
Double Tree by Hilton
Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf
12. Jumeirah Emirates Towers Arena
As far as views go, it can’t get better than this. Imagine watching your favourite players on the field while you soak in the ambience with the backdrop of the Museum of the Future! That’s what the Terrace Plaza, an al fresco area set up by the Jumeirah Emirates Towers hotel promises. Fitting up to 500 people, VIP areas, large screens, and live performances, guests are offered an unparalleled experience combining sport, dining, and entertainment at this landmark luxury hotel. Corporate packages are also available.
Where: Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Near World Trade Centre
Time: As per match timings
For more information: +971 4 330 0000; jetinfo@jumeirah.com
Hotel recommendations near World Trade Centre:
Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Novotel World Trade Centre
25Hours Hotel One Central
The H Dubai
Read more.
Dubai to launch a football-themed hotel ahead of FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar