Tag Archives: entertainment

Qiddiya sports, entertainment and culture stadium in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is estimated to attract 7.6 million annual visits to the stadium, playing a key role in Vision 2030’s targets for a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation – driving tourism and creating jobs. The Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) announced  the launch of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, an iconic multi-use venue set to further enhance Qiddiya’s philosophy of the Power of Play. Upon opening, it is anticipated to host some of Saudi Arabia’s biggest sports, entertainment, and cultural events. Located in Qiddiya City atop the breathtaking 200m-high Tuwaiq cliff and just 40 minutes from Riyadh, this futuristic venue is anticipated to become a must-visit destination. It aims to draw visitors from across the globe and revolutionize the traditional stadium experience with its immersive design and unique technological features, putting spectators at the center of the show. Commenting on the launch, Abdullah bin Nasser Aldawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company said: “Our ambition is for Qiddiya City to become a global destination for entertainment, sports and culture and this iconic new stadium will be at its very heart. The futuristic venue aims to reinvent the traditional stadium concept and embody the true spirit of Qiddiya’s Power of Play philosophy. It uses state-of-the-art technology and innovative, world-leading design to put the spectator at the centre of the experience”. He added “It will become a bucket-list destination for fans and enthusiasts across the world, hosting major events from across the world of sport and entertainment.” Designed by leading global architectural firm Populous, the stadium is set to be the world’s first fully …

Riyadh Season and Saudi Airlines to create new entertainment zone to provide a unique experience with specialized aircraft that perform commercial tasks other than transporting passengers in the air. This brings delight to travelers who enjoy the travel rituals without going too far. These planes are equipped to offer an entertaining experience and serve delicious meals. More information will be available and announced later. H.E. Advisor Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GeA) has announced the start of construction of the new BLVD Runway, as one of the Riyadh Season zones, in cooperation with Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia). The zone offers fresh adventures on five planes. The new zone allows visitors to enjoy a variety of cuisines from renowned restaurants. Additionally, the zone features thrilling activities such as a horror themed experience on an airplane. The announcement came after GEA CEO Eng. Faisal Bafarat and Saudia Group Chief Marketing Officer Khaled Tash in the presence of H.E. Eng. Ibrahim bin Abdul Rahman Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, signed an MOU. This agreement is a joint effort between Riyadh Season and Saudi Airlines to create the zone.  

The Board of Directors of NEOM unveiled Utamo, its immersive destination for art and entertainment. An innovative event space to host global artists, Utamo is the latest destination to be announced by the sustainable regional development evolving in northwest Saudi Arabia. Cocooned in a mountain located along the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, Utamo creates a unique backdrop for music events, exhibitions, and art activations that will transform traditional entertainment experiences. Combining natural beauty and technology, the venue has been designed to be a place where art and architecture blend harmoniously, providing visitors with a truly unique experience. Guests will arrive at Utamo via an extended pathway of a garden promenade, featuring more than 50 species of shrubs, herbs and flowers, before reaching the grand hall. The 64-meter-high entrance, which pays homage to art and design, sets the scene for the awe-inspiring experiences awaiting guests inside. A theatre of the future where reality and the digital realm converge, Utamo will host events that redefine the benchmark of entertainment. Its multipurpose performance space, VIP lounges, and signature restaurants will make it one of the world’s most exclusive event spaces, as it plays host to performances from the globe’s greatest artists. The space will be carefully crafted to facilitate immersive artistic installations and performances. Advanced audio-visual systems will captivate guests with sensory experiences, enveloping them in audio-visual wonder as they become part of the performance itself. Guided by NEOM’s unwavering commitment to conservation and its efforts to create spaces in nature that support sustainable development, cutting-edge techniques will be used in the design and construction of Utamo to ensure minimal intervention with the surrounding environment. News of the development follows the recent announcements …

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), the PIF-owned entertainment and recreation company, has announced its construction work on its new attraction-filled destination in Almadinah at an investment of SAR 1.3 billion. The project aligns with the Saudi region’s aims to build vibrant communities and improve everyone’s quality of life. Construction at Almadinah has started with BUJV, a joint venture by Al Bawani Co. Ltd. and UrbaCon Trading & Contracting, appointed to carry out the construction works.   Abdullah AlDawood, Chairman, SEVEN, said: “Our entertainment destination in Almadinah will transform the entertainment landscape of the region and bring new, unique, and exciting experiences to the people of Almadinah supporting SEVEN’s aims to enrich the quality of life for millions of Saudis.” Fakher AlShawaf, Group CEO, Albawani Holding, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate once again with SEVEN on this groundbreaking project, which aims to establish an exceptional entertainment destination in the holy city of Almadinah.” Ramez Al Khayat, Group Managing Director, UCC Holding, said: “This is an exciting project to add to our portfolio. As a leading international construction and contracting company with a wealth of expertise, we will deliver SEVEN’s entertainment destination with our signature superior quality.” Visitors can expect immersive experiences from exceptional rides set within a 4,000-square-meter family entertainment center. There will also be an e-karting track, with 330+ meters of track covering two levels; a Discovery Adventures center offering treks, treehouse trails, and other jungle-themed challenges and educational missions; and a Play-Doh entertainment center will spark children’s imaginations with three different sensorial zones.   SEVEN supports PIF’s mandate to create a sustainable entertainment, leisure and sports sector, alongside Saudi Arabia’s aim to welcome 100 million visitors …

Dhows were ditched and abras abandoned this morning as the Dubai Creek skyline was dominated by an enigmatic, eye-catching, emoji. Visitors to the heart of Old Dubai today found themselves gaping in curiosity as a 15-metre floating emoji with winking eye could be spotted sailing down the emirate’s historic waterway, sparking mystery and leaving sightseers’ tongues wagging. Emblazoned with a bold message to #UnleashTheExtraInYou, the ball was launched from 8 June at 6am, watched on by wondering wanderers. But only now can we reveal what the supersized sphere signifies: The winking emoji with protruding tongue is the signature trademark of GLITCH, the Emirates’ newest family entertainment centre. GLITCH will open its doors on June 19, promising non-stop excitement and endless fun for the whole family. Spanning 40,000 square-metres, it is situated on Level Two of Deira’s Al Ghurair Centre and features more than 30 attractions, all carefully curated to cater to ages 3 and up. From engaging in friendly competition at a state-of-the-art 10-pin bowling alley to conquering a Ninja warrior assault course, diving into a variety of mind-bending virtual reality experiences to zipping around the ceiling on an indoor roller glider, GLITCH is set to become the ultimate destination for seekers of adrenaline-fuelled fun. GLITCH will be open Sunday to Thursday from 10am-10pm and Friday and Saturday from 10am-midnight. For ticket prices and further information, follow GLITCH on social media @glitcharabia or visit www.glitcharabia.com. Get ready to dive into the GLITCH universe at Al Ghurair Centre and #UnleashTheExtraInYou.

Miral Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Microsoft, announced the launch of its generative AI customer-facing service leveraging ChatGPT through Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service to provide personalized guidance and information to customers visiting Yas Island’s theme parks and experiences. With over 1,700 operations completed successfully within a week, ChatGPT is being used to augment the capabilities of chatbots for customer services for the first time, not only across various industries in the UAE, but also within the wider region’s tourism and entertainment sector. Commenting on the collaboration, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, said: “We are proud to be pioneering the introduction of ChatGPT through Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service within the tourism and entertainment sector.  We champion innovation at every step and believe that digital transformation is key to creating more compelling and personalized visitor propositions. Our collaboration with Microsoft is a testament to our relentless pursuit of delivering unique and memorable experiences to guests of all ages and nationalities, further positioning Yas Island as a top global destination for entertainment and leisure.” Miral has long been working with Microsoft, having used the company’s intelligent cloud and data services for its existing guest experience platform and operations. As part of its ambition to be a customer-centric, progressive and efficient organisation, Miral plans to use Azure OpenAI Service and ChatGPT to enable customers to plan their day at any of the theme parks, providing a more seamless customer experience. “We are delighted to collaborate with Miral to enhance its customer experience through the use of Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service.” Said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. “With the help of Azure OpenAI Service and ChatGPT, Miral can better engage with …

The PIF-owned Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) has announced the launch of construction of an entertainment destination located in Saudi Arabia, with a value of SAR1+ billion. The complex will transform the entertainment landscape of the Tabuk region, with about 78% of its space designated for entertainment, 14% for cafes and restaurants, and 8% for stores. Amenities will include an advanced 12-hole indoor golf course offering bespoke experiences, a modern 10-track bowling alley, and a 10-screen cinema hall, according to a company statement. Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Dawood, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SEVEN, said: “The destination will add a qualitative leap in the entertainment scene of the region by providing a wide choice of entertainment attractions and distinctive experiences.” The project is being designed as an integrated village, with an innovative water tower inspired by the agricultural heritage of the Tabuk region at its center. This will connect to open community spaces, including gardens, parks and sports fields. The development reflects PIF’s strategy to develop and localize a variety of sectors, including entertainment, leisure and sports, to create a more vibrant society and improve the lives of everyone in Saudi Arabia. It also aligns with Vision 2030’s goal of positioning Saudi Arabia among the world’s top tourist destinations.​

One of the latest projects coming up in the Eastern coast is the new Khorfakkan Hotel and Waterpark which is located on a reclaimed land opposite to the Khorfakkan Port. The development features a hotel, waterpark and retail area that will maximize connectivity to the beach. These functions are located on the front edge and create a direct link to the sea. A marina front will be developed, allowing the fully take advantage of the plot, and will include a yacht bay along with branded residences facing the marina port. The 75 key hotel will feature all facilities including a gym, spa etc and the main attraction will be the water park and the mall which will bring in more visitors both international and domestic. More details on the project are yet to be released.

Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas, the region’s premiere leisure pioneer, has signed a deal with Immersive Gamebox (IGB) to introduce seven hyper-immersive and interactive ‘Gameboxes’ to Magic Planet in City Centre Mirdif, Dubai and City Centre Al Zahia, Sharjah, giving visitors access to 12 different experiences. The partnership underscores Majid Al Futtaim’s commitment to evolving and diversifying its offering in line with customer preferences and emerging trends. IGB (formerly known as Electric Gamebox) is a leading immersive      gaming company which designs and develops interactive digital smart rooms called ‘Gameboxes’     , catering      for groups of two to six players per Gamebox. The platform is a completely new genre of group entertainment featuring cutting-edge technologies, including      patented touch screens, 3D motion tracking and      surround sound      to deliver a hyper-immersive shared gaming experience     . IGB has a growing library of licensed and original IP games created by its in-house studio. All titles will be available at Magic Planet including Alien Aptitude Test, Ticket to Mars, Psychedelic Mansion, James Bunny: Casino Tropicale, and Squid Game      lasting 60 minutes each, as well as Temple of Coins, Angry Birds, Block Smash Mania, Trivia Mash-up, lasting 15-30 minutes each and kids’ games including Temple of Coins Junior, Tip Tap Memory Challenge and Shaun the Sheep: Championsheeps, lasting 15-30 minutes each. IGB will also be providing localised versions of these games in Arabic. Commenting on the partnership, Mark D. Haak Wegmann, Managing Director, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure and Entertainment said, “Immersive Gamebox (IGB) is a pioneering gaming company, and we are excited to partner with them to expand our offering at Magic Planet. Together, we will introduce technology-enabled shared play and a whole new genre of …

VOX Cinemas is excited to announce that Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ World Tour special from Buenos Aires, with a special guest appearance from BTS member Jin, will be broadcasted live across its cinemas in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt and Lebanon on Saturday, 29 October. With this worldwide broadcast of the band’s sold-out concert from Argentina, Coldplay fans across 70+ countries can unite and experience their favourite band’s record-breaking world tour on the big screen. The one-night only event promises a stadium-like spectacle bursting with classic Coldplay hits, lights, lasers, fireworks and stunning cinematography directed by acclaimed BAFTA-winning and Grammy-nominated director Paul Dugdale. The event is also set to feature the first-ever live performance of BTS member Jin’s new track “The Astronaut”, co-written by Coldplay. The ‘Music of the Spheres’ World Tour kicked off earlier this year, marking the British rock band’s return to live performing after the COVID-19 pandemic. From March to September, Coldplay members Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Phil Harvey and Will Champion are travelling across Latin America, North America and Europe and are set to end their six-month world tour with a special live broadcast from Buenos Aires – the first-ever live worldwide cinema broadcast of a concert from Latin America. VOX Cinemas previously screened ‘Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams’, the band’s hugely successful seventh concert tour in 2018. Last March, it also broadcasted ‘BTS Permission to Dance on Stage – Seoul: Live Viewing’ in the MENA region, which sold out tickets after just 30 minutes in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. VOX Cinemas regularly screens alternative content such as concerts, football matches and documentaries to cater to the different tastes …