The new Dubai Arena looks set for a 2019 opening when it will be ready to welcome 17,000 spectators at a time to watch live concerts and events.
The facade of the venue in the City Walk district is close to completion and work is pressing ahead on a timeline to open next year, developer Meraas said on Sunday.
Abdulla Al Habbai, Group Chairman at Meraas, said: “Every city is known for something - but few, if any, can compare to Dubai when it comes to leisure and entertainment experiences. Dubai Arena has been designed to enhance the city’s reputation as a destination for world-class events and hospitality and will transform the industry throughout the Middle East.
“We are confident that Dubai Arena will position the city on the international entertainment touring circuit and the audiences will have the opportunity to witness the world’s most talented performers and sporting events in the heart of Dubai."
The venue will be able to accommodate events and genres all year-round including sporting events such as tennis, basketball, boxing, volleyball and ice hockey, and gala dinners, exhibitions and conferences and festivals.
Meraas said the roof of Dubai Arena is expected to be completed and made watertight before the end of the year, to allow the final acoustic checks to commence. The complex roof structure weighs approximately 4,000 tonnes, equivalent in weight to that of seven A380 airplanes.
Day-to-day operations of Dubai Arena are to be managed by international venue management company AEG Ogden, which is part of the Anschutz Company, whose portfolio currently includes the O2 in London and the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
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Read more:
Dubai to build largest indoor arena in region
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
