Qatar 2022 World Cup: Dubai's First Soccer Themed Hotel Opens November

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Dubai's first football-themed hotel where fans can stay during Qatar 2022 World Cup and shuttles in and out of Doha for the day will open next November.

NH Dubai on the west side of The Palm Jumeirah will be a hotspot for supporters heading to Qatar for the biggest sporting event to be held in the region.

Demand for hotel rooms from international football fans planning to stay in the UAE has surged in recent weeks, as the kick-off of the Games draws near.

The Football Fans Dubai Experience, hosted by tourism agency Expat Sport, will offer flight packages from Dubai to Qatar, airport transfers and accommodations at the new NH Dubai The Palm.

A separate hospitality package will include match tickets.

“This is a completely new addition to Dubai's hospitality landscape,” said Sue Holt, executive director of Expat Sport, the official matchday hospitality exclusive sales agency.

"We are collaborating with official FIFA World Cup partners to make this a unique and immersive experience for our guests.

“As specialist sports tour operators, we fully understand the travel needs of football supporters, which can be very specific compared to the average tourist.

“There will be international fans coming to the region for the first time, so being in a relaxed environment with like-minded people in the stunning location of The Palm will make this holiday both fun and unforgettable.”

Doha Day Trip Planner

During the month-long tournament, NH Dubai The Palm, due to open in early November, will be transformed from a modern 533-room hotel into a hotbed of football fever.

Hotel guests will have access to these sporting challenges and competitions throughout the tournament, while the hotel's sports bar will be converted into a fan zone.

Supporters flying to Doha on day trips and staying at hotels will receive welcome packages, tickets and discounts to other designated fan zones around the city to watch the match.

Shuttle buses will be installed so fans can watch other matches in the official fan zones around the city at Dubai Harbor, Coca-Cola Arena and Football Park at DIFC.

Expat Sport offers four nights' stay for $1,290, eight nights for $2,580 and 12 nights for $3,870, all of which include twin or double room accommodations.

The travel and hotel packages are intended for those who already have match tickets sourced from FIFA lotteries or elsewhere.

Hospitality packages start at $950 for group matches and include stadium parking, food and drinks. The most expensive hospitality package is a seat at the Pearl Lounge at US$4,950 per person for a group match. This includes a six course meal, entertainment, cocktails and special concierge service.

A stadium suite can be rented for 22,450 US dollars for a private dining experience.

Since Expat Sport offered the offer to the International Association of Sports Travel Agents, 150 packages have been picked up in the UK.

The World Cup ticket application closes on August 16

Demand is also expected to flow from the US, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, the Netherlands and Canada. who has qualified for the World Cup finals for the second time — 2022 will be the country's first for 36 years.

So far, 1.8 million tournament tickets have been sold, with the last window for applications closing on August 16.

Tickets for the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East will be sold with an online queue system for those wishing to purchase.

Fans are limited to buying a maximum of six tickets per game and a maximum of 60 for tournaments to prevent bulk buying by touts looking to resell entry tickets on the black market at inflated fees.

Supporters have been warned that buying tickets outside an authorized sales agent could cancel their purchase, leading to their match tickets being cancelled.