For many of us, we haven’t got that golden ticket to Brazil to watch a game in Rio, but that shouldn’t limit you to your living room sofa. Here is a rundown of some of the best places to watch the beautiful game where you can follow your national team in a lively atmosphere – get ready to celebrate!
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr offers fans an air-conditioned outdoor tent that can accommodate up to 600 guests, making sure there is a grandstand atmosphere. Games will feature on the big screen as well as on 15 flat-screen LED TVs.
A minimum spend of AED 100 grants you entrance, with free standing and seating areas available, along with three drinks vouchers. Bar snacks and barbeque food will be available, coupled with plenty of drinks to choose from.
For reservations call: 02 654 3238
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
The World Cup Arabesque tent is going to be a cracking venue to watch the tournament. The air-conditioned tent will have a superb surround sound stereo system for all its wide screen TVs. Plenty of spacious seating for guests to relax – before the nail biting begins – before and after the games.
Guests who attend the weekly Friday brunch from the 13th June onwards will have a chance of winning a table for six in the tent including drinks and snacks worth AED 1,000.
For more details call: 02 509 8888
Sofitel Corniche
A really cool venue here. Enjoy the glory of the game at Chill’O Pool Bar as huge cinematic projectors and plasma screens deck the walls of the summer tent. The hotel has created a sports inspired menu featuring a live Brazilian barbeque, refreshing drinks, hot sliders, nachos and more. The tent will be open from 9am till late. June 12th to 13th July.
For more details call: 02 813 7777
du Forum Yas Island
The du Forum, Yas Island, will be transformed into Abu Dhabi’s largest FIFA World Cup viewing venue. For every match of the tournament (12th June to 13th July) the Forum will be complete with a fully themed fan zone, heritage zone and indoor bazaar.
Every match will be shown on a giant 6m x 4m LED screen, with additional mega screens around the venue. Guests can enjoy comfortable seating with a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere in unique family zones, kids play areas and shopping zones.
The du Forum will be open from 7pm every day during the tournament with prizes up for grabs throughout the month-long competition. Be in it to win it!
For more details visit: www.duforum.ae
Crowne Plaza Yas Island
Yas Island will have plenty going on during this year’s World Cup, with Stills bar at Crowne Plaza Yas Island offering not only a great venue, but some smashing food and beverage deals too.
The hotel will be hosting fans to watch the games inside and outside with the terrace being a popular venue. Happy Half-time sees a special drinks promotion so make sure you’re at the counter after the first 45 minutes.
But what we feel will really attract the fans of the game is the football kit promotion – wear the strip of the team playing that night and receive a free house beverage.
For more details call: 02 656 3000
Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi
The Hubbly Bubbly tent will be home for many this summer. Open from 5pm till late, the Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi will have plenty of screens, comfortable seating and an air-conditioned tent to keep fans cool during nerve-racking games.
If you do make your way to the Hubbly Bubbly tent, make sure to try the ‘Sepp Blatter’ Platter with your friends and family. A selection of freshly baked buns will be brought to your table, along with burger patties from each country (as per the game schedule) where you can experience a burger from around the world.
Group bookings are available by calling: 02 657 4874
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
The outdoor pool area will have a bubbling environment for all, where Nahaam restaurant will be catering to guests with an international food and beverage options and their specially designed World Cup menu.
The large screen outdoors will allow guests to watch all the games, including the 2am matches. Enjoy a cool evening outdoors with the pristine poolside conditions looking out to the beach area – perfect.
For more details call: 02 811 5555
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
Where to watch your team across the capital can prove difficult with all these options, and The St. Regis Abu Dhabi have just made your decision that little bit more difficult!
This stunning hotel along the Abu Dhabi Corniche will have one big screen in the library, two plasma screens in the Main Room and two drop down TVs in the Cigar Lounge.
All the games will be shown here with a variety of drinks promotions available. The ballroom will have a grand setup for all to watch the final.
For more details call: 02 694 4444
McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel
The newly opened McGettigan’s at Al Raha Beach Hotel will no doubt be a hotspot for the evening and early morning games. The team here is offering you and your friends a VIP Football Fanzone that you can hire for a private game screening. An exclusive waiter will serve your private section of the bar dedicated to you for the full 90 minutes, extra time and if it comes to it, the dreaded penalty shootout!
McGettigan’s will also be running plenty of competitions and prizes will be up for grabs throughout the tournament. But the Destination Anywhere competition is the prize everyone will want to get their hands on. Simply put, whichever country wins the tournament, you will win a holiday of a lifetime to that country. Amazing!
For more details: 02 652 4333
Sheraton Abu Dhabi
Let the Tavern get the ball rolling on your World Cup watching, as the British style pub offers a welcoming atmosphere for football fans. All the matches will be live on six screens, so your country will most certainly be catered for here. The Tavern will be serving up food from across the globe along with special drinks promotions. Supporters may find their team is not the only one victorious, as plenty of competitions and other prizes on offer may see you not leaving empty handed; predict the winning teams of each game and get ready to win!
For more details call: 02 677 3333
InterContinental Abu Dhabi
There are two locations where you can whoop and holler at the InterContinental Hotel. Firstly is the Belgian Café. Inside, you’ll be able to watch the large projector screen and the four TVs dotted around the restaurant. Half time will be the time to get a round in, as drinks will be half price.
There will also be the Saharaa Tent, where two projectors and six TVs will be viewable. The tent will have a separate menu from the café, giving diners plenty of options.
For more details call: 02 666 6888
Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa
If you want to watch your team but don’t fancy a wild atmosphere, make your way over to the Eastern Mangroves Hotel for a more tranquil, but not completely silent ambience.
Impressions Rooftop Lounge will be offering table service and other treats while you enjoy your team’s performance. Each match will be shown on dedicated screens with the commentary you need.
For more details call: 02 656 1000
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi
Le Meridien sports café, NRG, will have plenty of screens to choose from, with 12 in total showing all the games you could want to see. NRG have created a menu featuring food from around the world, representing the nations playing in the tournament. And along with the bar and Village decorated to celebrate the competition, guests will feel like they’re right there in Brazil!
For table reservations and more details call: 02 644 6666