The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will be played from the 20th of November to the 18th of December, where 32 teams will compete across 64 matches in the 22nd edition of the competition.
Where can you watch the game?
Fans looking to watch matches in a lively environment with plenty of like-minded supporters will find it easy to do so at these dedicated fan zones throughout the city. Here’s a selection of some:
As one of just 6 official FIFA Fan Zones worldwide, BudX Dubai is set to be a massive attraction during the World Cup 2022. With live broadcasts of all the games plus sets from International DJ's and local talent as well as visits from FIFA Legends. The BudX Fan Zone in Dubai Harbour is a one-stop shop for all things Qatar 2022. Starting from November 20th to December 18th
The Official BudX FIFA Fan Zone.
This fully licensed fan zone will hold 5,000 fans in front of a giant screen to watch all the action live. The Zone is just on the edge of Dubai Marina, with fast access to and from Sheikh Zayed Road, making it easily reachable for most of Dubai. The Amphitheatre will primarily be the official England Fan Zone in Dubai, but of course, it's open to everyone. There will also be official restaurants offering a variety of refreshments and drinks. Open 12pm-1am daily for the duration of the tournament.
McGettigans FanZone, Media City Amphitheatre.
The Football Park in DIFC offers football fans an upmarket version of the traditional fan zones, offering premium drinks, a chauffeur service and the chance to meat celebrities and even former players. Located just over 10 minutes from DXB International Airport, it's the perfect location for World Cup ticket holders to continue soaking up the atmosphere in between games. However, please note that access to the Football Park in DIFC requires tickets bought in advance. To register you need to contact info@footballparkatdifc.com Open from November 20th
The Football Park, DIFC
The Irish Village is a popular spot for sports fans all year round, and this year the Irish Village at Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Stadium is taking it up a notch. They'll be taking over the whole stadium with a 36-metre screen showing all the games, tiered and standing seating- with no reservations required. Just around the corner from Dubai Airport and Downtown Dubai - it couldn't be more convenient to get to or from the venue. Open daily.
The Stadium at The Irish Village, Fan Zone
World cup fixtures
Where to Stay and Play in Dubai For the 2022 FIFA World Cup
If you're like many of the thousands of football fans set to descend on Dubai this November and December for the 2022 Fifa World cup, you're probably in need of some accommodation. Hotel prices in Dubai do tend to rise during the winter, especially this year, given the number of tourists expected. The good news is that there are many options to explore when it comes to finding somewhere to stay during the World Cup.
There will be hundreds of daily shuttle flights to Qatar from Dubai during the duration of the FIFA World Cup. The flight time from Dubai to Doha is 1 Hour and 10 minutes meaning fans will have easy access to all the action. This, paired with the apparent shortage of budget-friendly accommodation in Doha and the surrounding area, is shaping Dubai to be the base for a lot of international fans.
On top of that, as of the 1st of November, International Fans who have a Hayya card for the 2022 World Cup can now apply for a multi-entry 90 day visa to the UAE. The visa fee has been reduced to a one-time charge of Dh100 (27.23 USD). It can be extended for a further 90 days, with regular fees applied. Meaning spectators can confidently book one of the hundreds of daily shuttle flights from DXB to DIA (Doha).
Driving to Doha?
Planning on driving the 6 hr 41 min (653.7 km) journey from Dubai to Doha?
From November 1st and December 23rd, anyone driving over the Abu Samra land crossing between Saudi Arabia and Qatar will need a vehicle entry permit.
This permit is only available to fans who have accommodation confirmed for a minimum of five nights, and there must be at least 3 passengers in the car.
Entry permits can be applied for through the Hayya platform. If approved, you’ll need appropriate insurance to drive in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Plus, pay a 5,043 AED (1,372.98 USD) non-refundable deposit within 24 hours of approval to receive the permit.
Getting Around Dubai During the 2022 FIFA World Cup
There are a few ways to get around Dubai during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. One way is to use the public transportation system, which includes buses, boats, taxis, and The Dubai Metro.
Dubai Metro and Taxis
The RTA plans to run 1,382 metro trips per day during the World Cup. In addition to its existing fleet of 11,310 taxis, the authority has allocated an additional 700 Hala cabs available through the Careem app to serve enthusiasts heading to fan zones in Dubai and travellers to and from the Al Maktoum International Airport. The taxi services will be available in these districts round-the-clock during weekends and public holidays.
Getting to and from Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) for World Cup Shuttle Flights to Qatar.
Free Shuttle Buses
- There will be a free bus service from the Expo Metro Station and Ibn Battuta, every 30 mins, to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
The RTA will also utilise 60 public buses to bring fans to designated FIFA World Cup locations. This dedicated service will operate on specific bus routes. The new DWC1 route departs from Al Maktoum International Airport (Arrivals), passes via the Dubai Metro Expo Station, and continues to Ibn Battuta Bus Station every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This route will only be operational until 20 December 2022.
The second route is F55, a metro feeder link service that will shuttle between Al Maktoum International Airport and Dubai Metro Expo Station. It runs from 5 am to 12 midnight at a frequency of 30 minutes.
The third route is N55, a night service from 10 pm until 5 am the next day to connect Al Maktoum International Airport and the Dubai Expo Metro Station. The route covers a distance of about 3.6 kilometres and will connect the airport to the metro station on the Red Line at a rate of one bus every 15 minutes