On Saturday, Madrid will grind to a halt when city rivals Atletico and Real lock horns in the Champions League final in Portugal.
And while the UAE is hundreds of miles away from the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, you can catch the action live at two fantastic venues in Dubai – Barasti and Level 9 at the Media One Hotel.
With the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, David Villa and Koke in action, football fans worldwide will be in for a treat.
Both venues are renowned for screening live sporting events. Earlier this month, hundreds of football fans made their way to Barasti to watch Manchester City’s title decider against West Ham United in the English Premier League where goals from Samir Nasri and captain Vincent Kompany sealed their second league crown in three years.
Last year’s Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich at Wembley, saw around 5,000 people watch the game. And Derryn French, director of marketing at Mina Seyahi, where Barasti is located, has big plans for Saturday.
French said: “We will have two large screens as well as 11 small ones. We will have VIP areas. Plus there will be food stations and special offers on selected beverages.”
And during half-time and after the match, there will be special entertainment to dazzle the fans.
“Football freestylers have been flown in from the UK to entertain the fans to ensure they enjoy the atmosphere,” revealed French.
Over at Level 9, Media One Hotel, which showed last week’s German Cup final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, there will be a dedicated fan zone, with Happy Hour available before the 22:45 kick-off.
You could also be walking away with some prizes for correctly predicting the score. Only once in Champions League history has the final been contested between two Spanish sides.
That took place in 2000 when Real Madrid thrashed Valencia 3-0. So, Saturday’s match will be the first between the two sides from the same city in a European final.
Buoyed by their La Liga title success last weekend, Atletico will be in confident mood but could be without star striker Diego Costa, scorer of 36 goals this season.
The Spanish striker picked up a hamstring injury in his side’s 1-1 draw at Barcelona. It will be the second Champions League final for Atletico, who will be hoping to banish memories of their 4-0 defeat in the replay to Bayern Munich in 1974.
While Atletico will be looking to get their hands on the title for thefirst time, Real are one match away from sealing their 10th European crown.
‘Los Blancos’ have been in impressive form in the competition, scoring 37 goals en route to Portugal. The nine-time winners showed their superiority in the resounding 4-0 win over defending champions Bayern Munich in the semi-final second leg.
It was a result few were expecting, especially as it took place at the Allianz Arena – home of Bayern.
The teams have met four times this season, with Real holding the advantage of two wins, both in the Copa del Rey semi-final, as opposed to Atletico’s one.
French added: “With Sunday being a public holiday, we predict many people will come to Barasti to witness this match. So we advise people to come in early and grab the best seats.”
And Felix Hartmann, director of food and beverage at Media One Hotel, said: “I believe Media One will break new ground by adding a refreshingly unique concept of showing live football this year; so join us on Level 9 to watch the Champions League final.”
Barasti open their doors from 11:00, while Level 9 will open at 21:00. Admission is free at both venues.
WHAT: Champions League final screening – Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid at Barasti and Level 9, Media One Hotel.
WHEN: Saturday, May 24 at 22:45. Barasti doors open from 11:00 and Level 9 from 21:00.
COST: Free Entry. AGES: 21+ for Level 9, and all ages (in selected areas) at Barasti.
CONTACT: www.barastibeach.com and www.mediaonehotel.com
