World Cup fever hits Dubai
Though the World Cup action unfolds thousands of kilometres away, Dubai will be bringing every tackle, goal and winner closer to home.
Here’s where to watch the World Cup in Dubai
FAN ZONES
Bla Bla by McGettigan’s
The official FIFA fan zone pick for Dubai and the home of the England Supporters Club this tournament. McGettigan’s is bringing the full World Cup experience to JBR in Dubai – big screens, live entertainment, and themed food and drink from breakfast kick-offs through to late-night finales. Tickets start from Dhs60 and are fully redeemable on food and drinks, making this one of the better-value ways to spend a match night in the city.
Where: Jumeirah Beach Residence
Tickets: From Dhs60, fully redeemable on food and drinks
Contact: @blablabymcgettigans
The Garden Project
Where: Montgomerie, Emirates Hills
Contact: @thehillsclubdubai
Garden on 8
The traditional pub garden at Media One gets fully decked out in flags and football fever come tournament season. All matches shown live, with craft beers, tasty bites and World Cup deals to keep you going from first kick-off to final whistle.
Where: Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City
Contact: @gardenon8dxb
Bridgewater Tavern
A year-round sports bar with a genuine fan atmosphere, Bridgewater Tavern at JW Marriott Marquis is a dependable World Cup base. Expect big screens, pub classics, and drinks deals worth sticking around for.
Where: JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay
Contact: @bridgewatertavern
Buffalo Wings & Rings
If wings are non-negotiable on a match night – and frankly, they should be – Buffalo Wings & Rings delivers on both counts. The DIFC and JLT locations have multiple screens throughout, so you won’t miss a second of the action between plates.
Where: Level C, Liberty House, DIFC & Cluster U, JLT
Contact: @buffalodubai
Double Decker
One of Dubai’s most dependable live sport venues, Double Decker brings proper old-school pub energy to the World Cup. Big screens, hearty grub, a pool table for half-time and one of the longest happy hours in the city – eight hours, if you’re keeping score.
Where: Swïssôtel Al Murooj, Trade Center Second
Contact: @doubledeckerme
Goose Island Tap House
An award-winning sports bar with the kind of screens you can actually see from the back of the room. Goose Island at Five Jumeirah Village pairs hearty pub grub with an extensive drinks menu, pool tables and virtual golf – because sometimes you need something to do between matches.
Where: Five Jumeirah Village, JVC
Contact: @gooseislandjvc
The Irish Village
One of Dubai’s most iconic outdoor venues and a perennial favourite for major football tournaments. The garden-style setting, big screens and consistently lively crowd make it hard to leave – which is largely the point.
Where: Al Garhoud and Studio One Hotel
Contact: @theirishvillagedubai
K-West Sports Bar
For those who want the energy of a proper match night without the sticky floors, K-West at Kempinski Palm Jumeirah offers a more polished take on live sport. Big screens, crafted cocktails and a refined crowd that still gets very loud when it matters.
Where: Kempinski Hotel Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah
Contact: @kwestdubai
Kickers
Set in Dubai Sports City and overlooking a proper football pitch, Kickers has its credentials well established. During the World Cup, all eyes will be on the big screens. Ice-cold drinks and a crowd that knows the game make this one worth the trip.
Where: Dubai Sports City, Al Hebiah Fourth
Contact: @kickersportsbars
Lock, Stock & Barrel
Lock, Stock & Barrel is going all out this World Cup, and it’s about to get loud. Fans attending can watch the match on giant screens while surrounded by football decor, flags, laser shows, CO2 cannons and the ever-famous balloon drops. And the fun doesn’t end once the whistle blows. There will be live bands, DJs, and Latin-inspired takeovers, guaranteed to make you stay on.
Where: JBR Lock, Business Bay Lock and Barsha Heights
Contact: @lockstockuae
Long’s Bar
A long-standing Dubai institution and one of the most reliable spots for live sport in the city. Wall-to-wall screens, a lively pub atmosphere and a crowd that always shows up for the big games – early kick-offs or late-night fixtures, Long’s has you covered.
Where: Tower’s Rotana, Sheikh Zayed Road
Contact: @longsdubai
McCafferty’s JVC
The largest Irish bar in the world is always busy and during the World Cup, it goes up another gear entirely. Every match shown live, and if you’re still there after the final whistle, live music keeps the energy going.
Where: Circle Mall Rooftop, Jumeirah Village Circle
Contact: @mccaffertysjvc
Offside
A crowd favourite at JA Ocean View Hotel, Offside screens all the live football alongside classic match-night bites – wings, pizzas, great drinks deals. It’s also pet-friendly, so your four-legged companion can join in, or at least keep you entertained with some well-timed zoomies.
Where: JA Ocean View Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Residence
Contact: @offsidedxb
Spike Bar
For something a little more relaxed, Spike Bar at Emirates Golf Club offers outdoor seating overlooking the course, screens showing all the action and a laid-back vibe that makes it easy to spend the whole evening here.
Where: Emirates Golf Club, Emirates Hills 2
Contact: @spike.dubai
Seven Sports Bar
A multi-award-winning venue on The Palm with wall-to-wall screens and a vibrant atmosphere that makes it an easy call on match days. Settle in, find your angle and let the football take over.
Where: NH Collection Dubai The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
Contact: @sevensportsbardubai
The Coterie Ibn Battuta
For the World Cup, The Coterie Ibn Battuta has partnered with African + Eastern to launch Festiball at The Coterie Clubhouse by Stella Artois. Catch the game on giant screens and expect stadium-style energy complete with live entertainment, immersive activations and non-stop action. To keep your energy levels high, there’s a dedicated match-day food and drinks menu, including stacked burgers, pies, pastries and loaded chip cones alongside The Coterie’s signature à la carte menu. And on select matches, the energy kicks up a notch with CO2 cannons, ultras-style flags, live DJs, drums and more. Ladies can enjoy complimentary drinks before kick-off, and returning fans will unlock exclusive rewards and tournament-long experiences throughout the summer.
Where: The Coterie Ibn Battuta, Ibn Battuta Mall
Contact: @the.coterie.group
The Dubliner’s
A classic Irish pub in Garhoud with a loyal following built on years of live sport screenings and energetic match nights. Multiple screens, hearty pub fare and a sociable crowd that turns up reliably for the big games.
Where: Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, Al Garhoud
Contact: @dublinersdubai
The Yard Sports Bar
A comfortable, unfussy spot at Topgolf Dubai with screens throughout and a social crowd that keeps the energy up on game days. Good food, good drinks, no fuss.
Where: Emirates Golf Club, Topgolf Dubai, Emirates Hills
Contact: @topgolfdubai
Trophy Room
Sleeker than your average sports bar, Trophy Room at Fairmont Dubai still delivers a proper match-day feel. Multiple screens, great food and drinks, and a setting that makes the whole experience feel a bit more considered.
Where: Lobby Level, Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road
Contact: @trophyroom.dubai
Images: Supplied
