YOU would have to have been in a cave the past week to not have noticed that the 2018 World Cup Finals is under way.
And that means dozens of exciting choices when it comes to viewing your team – and others – in action across Dubai. We visited two venues to soak up the atmosphere.
And that means dozens of exciting choices when it comes to viewing your team – and others – in action across Dubai. We visited two venues to soak up the atmosphere.
SCREEN IDOLS: Plenty of space inside Football Central where football takes over from the little white ball
AFTER a month of hosting iftars the large ‘tent’ in the grounds of Emirates Golf Club has taken on a very different ambience since Eid was called.
With a floor marked out like a football pitch and a huge screen at one end, Football Central is a place very much set up for the big games.
At least 800 fans reportedly turned up for the opening night of Russia 2018 and there was healthy crowd for the venue’s Friday football brunch last weekend.
While former Liverpool and England star Robbie Fowler was a guest of honour later on for that, the atmosphere is good enough to make this a decent destination most times during the festival of footy.
At least 800 fans reportedly turned up for the opening night of Russia 2018 and there was healthy crowd for the venue’s Friday football brunch last weekend.
While former Liverpool and England star Robbie Fowler was a guest of honour later on for that, the atmosphere is good enough to make this a decent destination most times during the festival of footy.
THE BEAUTIFUL GAME: Emirates Golf Club is the setting for a prime World Cup viewing venue
Brunch, which happens in Football Central again this Friday, is centered around pleasing comfort dishes, from decent fish and chips with mushy peas to an addictive chicken tikka masala and roast beef.
There’s a salad selection for a healthy start and sticky toffee pudding among the sweet treats for the end.
Beside the brunch offer, snack platters stuffed with chicken wings, sliders, potato croquettes, mixed satay and nachos are available along with house grapes, hops and spirits.
All the while, that giant screen offers plenty of distraction as does a kit shop and a couple of play areas for 'kick the ball through the hole' and PlayStation gaming action.
There’s a salad selection for a healthy start and sticky toffee pudding among the sweet treats for the end.
Beside the brunch offer, snack platters stuffed with chicken wings, sliders, potato croquettes, mixed satay and nachos are available along with house grapes, hops and spirits.
All the while, that giant screen offers plenty of distraction as does a kit shop and a couple of play areas for 'kick the ball through the hole' and PlayStation gaming action.
POOL PULL: DoubleTree JBR is keeping the World Cup football action outdoors but with a watery edge
If being undercover isn’t your thing then DoubleTree JBR has transformed itself into one of the best locations in Dubai to catch the games.
The hotel has manipulated its beach garden into the Football Village. It is displaying all 64 games live on multiple screens throughout the venue until July 15.
Centre stage, however, is a giant LED screen placed on the other side of the chilled infinity pool, meaning you can watch the action from the water with refreshment in hand courtesy of a floating bar - or table and lounger service, depending on your booking.
Food is available as is in between match entertainment such as foosball, ping-pong, crossbar challenge, volleyball and football pitches, and face painting.
The hotel has manipulated its beach garden into the Football Village. It is displaying all 64 games live on multiple screens throughout the venue until July 15.
Centre stage, however, is a giant LED screen placed on the other side of the chilled infinity pool, meaning you can watch the action from the water with refreshment in hand courtesy of a floating bar - or table and lounger service, depending on your booking.
Food is available as is in between match entertainment such as foosball, ping-pong, crossbar challenge, volleyball and football pitches, and face painting.
DIP IN FORM: Summer temperatures may be here but this JBR hotel has turned its garden into Football Village
A nice touch is a Football Village menu featuring food from the countries that are playing in the tournament, as well as burgers, nachos, flatbreads and more.
This could well be one of the best spots in town to watch the games – although not so good if you want to do some lane swimming.
DETAILS:
FOOTBALL Central has free entry but offers a number of packages, starting at AED474 for a snack platter and eight beverage vouchers, suitable for a group of four. Or AED1,120 for up to 10 guests, inclusive of two snack platters and 20 beverage vouchers.
FOR more call 04 417 9999 or email [email protected]
FOOTBALL Village is open from 4pm until 2am everyday starting with DJs playing post match until 1am.
ENTRY is free, but a minimum spend applies to VIP areas. To book your poolside spot, call 055 166 8092 / 058 260 9761, or email [email protected]
This could well be one of the best spots in town to watch the games – although not so good if you want to do some lane swimming.
DETAILS:
FOOTBALL Central has free entry but offers a number of packages, starting at AED474 for a snack platter and eight beverage vouchers, suitable for a group of four. Or AED1,120 for up to 10 guests, inclusive of two snack platters and 20 beverage vouchers.
FOR more call 04 417 9999 or email [email protected]
FOOTBALL Village is open from 4pm until 2am everyday starting with DJs playing post match until 1am.
ENTRY is free, but a minimum spend applies to VIP areas. To book your poolside spot, call 055 166 8092 / 058 260 9761, or email [email protected]
