#360Fans: Where to watch the 2015-16 Premier League in the UAE

Sport360 staff 13:13 05/08/2015
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  • Manchester United, Arsenal & Liverpool will be challenging for the title.

    The Premier League is followed fanatically in the UAE so to help residents and visitors alike find fellow fans to watch the 2015-16 season, Sport360 has compiled the ultimate guide to the EPL's UAE Supporters' Clubs. 

    N.B. For fans of Leicester, Stoke, Swansea, West Brom, Watford and new boys Bournemouth, we're afraid that UAE Supporters' Clubs do not yet exist or have gone into hiding. There's a gap in the market though! 

    ARSENAL UAE 

    Velocity Bar in JW Marquis Marriott is the official home of Arsenal in UAE.

    How they were founded: At the start of the 2009-10 season, Arsenal fan David Price wondered just how many other Gunners supporters could be living and working in Dubai. After the club informed him that two other supporters had asked about setting up a group, David and his newly-formed committee began to trawl the bars of Dubai looking out for whoever celebrated when Arsenal scored. This went on for around a year before the Gunners finally gave official status; in September, 2010, Arsenal UAE was born.

    Where they watch games: Velocity Bar in JW Marquis Marriott, Business Bay is the official home of Arsenal UAE's Dubai Branch. The Arsenal UAE Abu Dhabi branch's official home is at Harvester's Bar at Holiday Inn, Electra Street.

    Twitter: @AFCUAE
    Facebook: Arsenal UAE

    DUBAI LIONS – ASTON VILLA UAE SUPPORTERS' CLUB

    Dubai Lions: Centre Circle pub, Ramada Chelsea hotel, Al Barsha.

    How they were founded: The Dubai Lions is a relatively new supporters' club, having had no presence in Dubai until November, 2014.  What started as just three Villans getting together for a drink has swelled to over 40 for the big games in just nine months.  A more passionate bunch of guys and girls, the Dubai Lions welcome new faces and are keen on organising match-day events. An officially registered Lions Club with Villa Park, they've even had some guest appearances by ex-Villa stars such as Derek Mountfield and Ian Taylor – what an endorsement! 

    Where they watch games: Centre Circle pub, Ramada Chelsea Hotel, Al Barsha.  Great atmosphere, dedicated seating for Villa fans and 15% off the bill for good measure!

    Twitter:  DubaiLionsAVFC
    Facebook: DubaiLionsAVFC

    CHELSEA UAE SUPPORTERS CLUB

    Loca at Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa plays host to Chelsea fans.

    How they were founded: The club was formed in 2001 by 16 intrepid souls hopping from venue to venue on a Saturday afternoon. Initially only the official supporters' club for Dubai, the group's success saw Chelsea expand the mandate to cover the whole of the UAE. As the years rolled on, the club grew and there are now close to 1,000 known Chelsea fans in the UAE. 

    Where they watch games: Loca in the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa in Jumeirah 1.

    Twitter: @UAECSC
    Facebook: UAECSC

    CPFC DUBAI SUPPORTERS CLUB – CRYSTAL PALACE

    Crystal Palace fans can be found at Loca Restaurant in Dubai.

    How they were founded: CPFC Dubai Supporters Club was formed in 2012 by Ben McBride the manager of Loca Restaurant and Bar. Since then the club has grown significantly to over 230 fans in UAE and they always make a big noise on gameday. 

    Where they watch games: Loca Restaurant and Bar at Dubai Marine Beach Resort.

    Facebook: CPFCDubai

    EVERTON FABS DUBAI

    Everton fans supporting their team in Dubai.

    How they were founded: Everton Fans Dubai are an official supporters club of the Premier League side and have over 200 followers in the Emirate. 

    Where they watch games: McGettigan's DWTC, Dubai.

    Twitter: Everton_Dubai

    DUBAI REDS – LIVERPOOL UAE SUPPORTERS' CLUB

    Gameday for the Dubai Reds at Goodfellas.

    How they were founded: The Dubai arm of the Official Liverpool Supporters' Club came into existence in 2006 thanks to the hard work, persistence and dedication of Bob Kabli and Russell Overy. Official affiliation came in late 2006 and within a short time the club went from strength to strength and a website was set up, in addition to a more formal membership scheme. The club is now well established and currently has over 400 active members.

    Where they watch games:  Goodfellas Sports Bar, Ramee Rose Hotel, Tecom, Dubai.

    Twitter: @dubaireds
    Facebook: Dubai Reds

    MANCHESTER CITY ABU DHABI BLUES – MCFC UAE SUPPORTERS' CLUB 

    The Citizens gather at Mcgettigans, in Abu Dhabi.

    How they were founded: Abu Dhabi Blues was founded in 2009 after Darren Ball relocated to UAE from Rotterdam – where he was part of the official supporters club there too. Darren saw the formulation of the club as the normal thing to do given that he is from Manchester and new of a few Blues already in the area. 

    Where they watch games:  Mcgettigans, Khalifa City A. They also do "away games" at other supporters club bars around Abu Dhabi – announced through the club's Facebook. 

    Facebook: Manchester City Abu Dhabi  Blues

    MUSC UAE  – MANCHESTER UNITED UAE SUPPORTERS' CLUB

    It's always a packed house for Manchester United games in UAE.

    How they were founded: MUSC UAE was formed back in 2006 by a couple of fans who wanted to watch games together and became officially recognised by Manchester United in 2010.

    Where they watch games: Harvesters Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. For United fans in Abu Dhabi, it is Coopers Bar at the Park Rotana. The club is also working on another option in Dubai that will cater to fans under 21.

    Twitter: @MUSC_UAE
    Facebook: MUSCUAE

    NEWCASTLE UNITED SUPPORTERS CLUB DUBAI

    Newcastle United's Toon Army in Dubai.

    How they were founded: The group only became active in 2010 as a Facebook group. They set out to give the fans a platform to discuss the team and where and when to watch matches in Dubai. They now enjoy over 200 members and meet regularly to watch the Toon play.

    Where they watch games: Center Circle in Chelsea Ramada by Mall of the Emirates.

    Facebook: Newcastle United Supporters Club Dubai 

    UAE CANARIES – NORWICH CITY UAE SUPPORTERS' CLUB

    UAE Canaries pre-match festivities with Michael and Delia!

    How they were founded: UAE Canaries was formed in July 2009 after founding member Philip Bray moved to Dubai and the UAE Canaries are now signed up with the club's official charter.

    Where they watch games: Crown & Lion, Byblos Hotel in Tecom, Dubai.

    Facebook: UAE Canaries

    DUBAI SAINTS – SOUTHAMPTON UAE SUPPORTERS' CLUB

    Barasti Beach Bar houses the Dubai Saints Southampton fans.

    How they were founded: Three Southampton fans were independently wearing Saints' 125th anniversary shirts at the Dubai Desert Classsic in 2010. The trio met randomly, had a drink, and became Dubai Saints.

    Where they watch games:  Barasti Beach Bar is Dubai Saints' home pub; the club meet inside the main bar for all games.

    Twitter: @dubaisaints
    Facebook: Dubai Saints

    SUNDERLAND AFC SUPPORTERS CLUB UAE

    Sunderland supporters at Champs Bar in Tecom.

    How they were founded: This supporter's group caters for all Sunderland fans in the Arabian peninsula with members in the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia. They now have around 50 members regionally and as well as watching the matches they run a Facebook page for general Sunderland news and banter.

    Where they watch games: Champs Bar, Boutique 7 Hotel, Tecom for all Saturday and Sunday games.

    Facebook: Sunderland AFC Supporters Club UAE

    UAE SPURS – TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR UAE SUPPORTERS' CLUB

    Spurs fans getting into the swing of things at Icon in Radisson Blu.

    How they were founded: Founding member Raad Jaboori arrived in Dubai in 2002 and used to watch Tottenham games at the Boston Bar (Jumeirah Rotana Hotel) with one other fan. It wasn’t until 2009 that a group of 'Spurs fans started organising meet-ups to watch games in the Marina and JBR areas. Unbeknown to them, there was another group of supporters watching the games at the Crown & Anchor (Jumeirah Beach Hotel). They merged and have been growing in numbers ever since.

    Where they watch games: Icon Bar, Radisson Blu, Media City.

    Facebook: UAESpurs
    Website: UAE Spurs

    DUBAI HAMMERS – WEST HAM UAE SUPPORTERS' CLUB

    West Ham fans in Dubai greet big Sam Allardyce.

    How they were founded: Although there have been smaller, non-official Dubai Hammers groups spread around for many years, the official supporters club formed in May 2012 for the Championship Play-Off Final. Thanks to events such as the private training session when the full squad came to Dubai, Hammers now have over 350 members. Their membership package includes a 20% discount card for Media Rotana and a unique Dubai Hammers t-shirt, as well as a few other perks. 

    Where they watch games:  Nelson's – Media Rotana, Dubai. Their CEO is a Hammers fan and the staff in Nelson's bar cannot do enough for the club. This season, the Dubai Hammers have a dedicated and decorated Legends Lounge set aside for members, with complimentary Chip Butties at half time!

    Twitter: @DubaiHammers
    Facebook: DubaiHammers

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