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29 March 2024

Where to watch Fifa World Cup 2014 in UAE: Special indoor 'stadiums', in the air…

Published
By Bindu Rai

The Fifa frenzy will hit fever pitch from tonight, as the opening ceremony kicks off from 9pm, followed by Brazil taking on Croatia at midnight.

Venues across Dubai are pulling out all stops to ensure footie fans do not miss out on the action, with special air-conditioned tents, live entertainment and a host of prizes up for grabs across the 64 matches.

For those eager to catch the action on big screens with like-minded fans, here’s Emirates 24|7’s top picks for FIFA World Cup 2014:

Dubai Marina/JBR

Al Habtoor Grand Resort And Spa:
Head to the XL Beach Club for a fully air-conditioned indoor arena to accommodate 1,500 people. We hear there are 10 TV screens in this tent, along with a giant LED screen in the centre of it all. Entry is Dh100, which is redeemable against food and drinks. For reservations, call: 056 640 6161

Le Méridien Mina Seyahi
: Head to Barasti as the popular air-conditioned tent returns in a stadium format to accommodate up to 1,200 guests. 12-metre wide screen awaits footie fans, with opening night to feature performances by the F2 Freestylers. For reservations, call: 04 318 1313

Media One Hotel, Media City: Head to the Level 9 for a ‘Brazilian experience’, which includes food, drinks, an MC and Happy Hour from 6pm every match day, with re runs of the previous day matches in case you missed the footie action. Other entertainment options include a pool table with football, a chance to be Man of the Match and score prediction contests. Prices range according to group size. For reservations, call: 04 443 5403

Hilton Jumeirah: Kick-off this World Cup at Wavebreaker Bar and Grill, where the hotel invites fans to dress in their team colours with special performances by DJ Mo Tiger and Eve. The hotel also offers BBQ on the menu, along with shisha, prizes and the match screening on a giant LED screen. From 8pm onwards. For reservations call: 04 318 2582

Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, JBR: Footie with a sit-down dinner is what’s on offer at the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dubai, JBR this summer at the hotel’s Flavours restaurant. A set menu of dishes will be available to accompany the month of football frenzy, running from the opening match between Brazil and Croatia. To accommodate the time difference of seven hours between Dubai and Brazil, the restaurant will be open through the night until 2am.

The Palm Jumeirah

Atlantis The Palm:
A special World Cup tent has been erected that will showcase the 64 matches across 13 giant screens during the tournament. Open from 7pm daily, the tent will serve up traditional Arabic cuisine with a minimum spend of Dh100 per person with the exception of shisha. For reservations, call: 04 426 0350

Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah: The Palm Avenue invites footy fans to experience the thrill of the nail-biting games on their two widescreen TVs, while enjoying promotions. The indoor venue opens at 6pm. For reservations, call: 04 818 2222

Downtown Dubai/SZR

Dubai Sports World, DWTC: Dubai Sports World claims to be one of the region’s largest indoor sports events that has been set up at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Aside from screening all the footie matches at the Majlis, the arena also allows visitors to partake in their favourite sports in an air-conditioned arena, including football, rugby, basketball, badminton, volleyball, table tennis and much more. We hear there’s a Dh200 cover charge. For reservations, call: 04 332 1000

Bur Dubai/Jumeirah

Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa:
The world cup lounge at the Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa hits all the buttons for a footie fan this year: two 6x4m LED screens, a VIP lounge with a FIFA menu, shisha, live DJs, competitions and raffles that includes a trip to South Korea, board games and PlayStation, plus a daily laser show. The World Cup Lounge is open from 6pm to 3am, daily, with happy hour until 7.30pm. For reservations call 04 346 1111

Spin Dubai, Wafi City: Here’s another one of those venues that offers an indoor and outdoor seating areas, with food, drinks and shisha. Also available are private rooms for big groups. Those with Wafi rewards card will get a 20 per cent discount off the total F&B bill. For reservations, call: 050 288 2123

Citymax, Bur Dubai: Watch the Fifa World Cup live on giant screens. Spend Dh100 per person and get Dh30 cash back on your next visit. The venues feature a number TV displays and projectors with 32” to 80” screens. Entry is free. For those living further afield, the Al Barsha branch of The Huddle also offers a similar deal. For reservations, call: 050 100 7065

Deira

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club: The popular QD’s returns with its air-conditioned tent, with packages starting from Dh125, inclusive of entry and snacks. For reservations, call: 04 295 6000

The Millennium Airport Hotel: Whether it’s watching England take on Costa Rica or host nation Brazil showing their skills against Croatia, Biggles is showing the footie action across 17 TV screens. Menu specials starts from Dh59, including a special Brazilian a la carte menu to sample the taste of the samba.

At 30,000ft in the air

No really. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, will broadcast every Fifa World Cup football match ‘live’ on all of the air carrier’s long haul aircraft during the month-long tournament. And it isn’t just for the premium class passengers, but also economy class ones.

Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

du Forum: A viewing zone featuring Abu Dhabi’s largest screen, with both Arabic and English commentary is being set up, along with a Majlis and VIP lounges. It offers separate areas for ladies, families and other fans in a non-alcoholic environment.

Yas Beach: This has been chosen as the official venue in the UAE to watch the World Cup by the Embassy of Brazil, the host nation. Games will be shown in HD on two giant screens while fans relax in the sand by the sea.

Hotels/Restaurants: Fans can also enjoy World Cup fever at a number of the island’s restaurants and hotels including the Yas Island Rotana, Park Inn and Yas Island Abu Dhabi, where the action will be displayed on TV screens.