BackDubai has been in the throes of World Cup Fever over the past couple of weeks. The city is filled with enthusiastic football fans, many of whom support the team of their home country, while others simply tune in for the love of the game. While it’s fairly common to host viewing parties at home where you can enjoy all of the action from the comfort of your living room, if you really want to feel the buzz and excitement of the World Cup, you should head someplace where you can be surrounded by a large group of fans for a truly unforgettable experience. Below are some of the best places where you can enjoy watching the World Cup in Dubai.
The Penthouse: Palm Jumeirah
This stunning venue on the rooftop of The Five, located on the main trunk of Palm Jumeirah, is truly transforming the World Cup experience for fans. With multiple TV screens in all corners and one huge central screen, you can sit by the gorgeous infinity pool and indulge yourself in some exquisite cuisine while watching the matches. Moreover, the venue offers a truly magnificent view of the Dubai skyline, providing the ultimate place to unwind between matches. There are also occasional contests and giveaways where you can have the chance to enjoy a game live in Russia. Entry to The Penthouse is free, though there is a minimum spend limit for large groups.
Barasti Superdome
At the start of the World Cup, Barasti promised to bring “the best football experience Dubai has ever seen”. This was achieved at the Barasti Superdome courtesy of giant screens, live DJ’S, and room for a whopping 8,000 fans to watch the games while lounging by the beach. If you would prefer and indoor viewing option, there is an air-conditioned tent at the Middle Deck with a massive 39-foot wide screen, so you can catch all of the action without worrying about the heat. The venue is free to enter, though you might want to get there early as it is bound to be packed.
The Last Stand Football Fan Park
With room for over two thousand people, this immense space in Dubai Sports City aims to become the prime destination for football fans. Featuring three gigantic screens, a range of booking and seating options for both individuals and families, and a special play area for children, The Last Stand Football Fan Park provides the right mix of comfort and convenience for football fans of all ages. There are two arenas, one for families and one strictly for those over 21. Aside from watching the matches, you can indulge in a few games of foosball, or get even more active with a game of human foosball. Tickets cost AED 100 (which covers AED 100 worth of food and beverage), and there are upgrade packages available for extra cost.
The Irish Village
The very renowned Irish Village might just be the most authentic place to watch the World Cup. With multiple gigantic screens and tiered terraces where you can watch each of the matches as though you are right there in the stadium, Irish Village provides an amazing experience for the die-hard fans. Entry requires a minimum spend of AED 100 and group bookings must be for a minimum of 10 people for guaranteed seating.
Football Central at Emirates Golf Club
Dubai’s original golf destination and neighbour to the exclusive Emirates Hills neighbourhood, Emirates Golf Club has been going all out for football fans in recent years. A dedicated two-storey lounge has been created specifically for the World Cup, featuring one giant screen surrounded by 12 smaller (though still big) screens so the game is covered from every angle. There will also be a whole host of different food and drink packages available, with packages for four starting from Dhs 475 and packages for ten available at Dhs 1,120. Moreover, if you are below 21 years of age, after 9 PM you can head on to the Spike Bar and catch the matches there while being surrounded by many enthusiastic football fans of all ages.
