Visa, the official payments partner of FIFA and Dubai Duty Free, the largest single airport retailer in the world, have teamed up with Dubai Airports for a unique entertainment experience as part of this year’s FIFA World CupTM. As a result of the collaboration, passengers travelling through to Dubai International (DXB) will be able to catch all of the live football starting right up until the final on 15th July.  

The matches will be broadcast live at Dubai International in a specially designed Viewing Lounge strategically located in (Terminal 3) Concourse B near the boarding Gate 16. The Viewing Lounge can accommodate up to 100 people on a first-come first-served basis and will be opened 24 hours a day for the duration of the tournament.  And to ensure that passenger’s feel fully immersed in the viewing experience, the two back-to–back giant screens are set up right in the middle of the seating area.

The Viewing Lounge is one of the first of its kind activation where travelers from all over the globe can sit back, relax and catch all the football action of every match!

Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Colm McLoughlin commented, “Dubai Duty Free is happy to offer passengers and our customers a unique opportunity to experience the exciting game of the FIFA World CupTM as they depart through Dubai International. We have been working with Visa as well as with Dubai Airports and we are very happy with the outcome.”

Karim Beg, Visa’s Head of Marketing for MENA, said, “Visa is the exclusive payment service for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ in all stadiums where payment cards are accepted. We are also documenting Zlatan Ibrahimović’s return to the FIFA World Cup™ stage in ‘Visa's Ultimate FIFA World Cup™ FOMO’ campaign, showcasing the ease of contactless payment technology throughout his adventure. We are delighted to team up with Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Airports to deliver an enhanced travel experience for passengers and Visa cardholders transiting through Dubai. As part of Visa’s commitment to enhancing the sports fan experience around the world, this means they won’t miss the World Cup action even while they are in Dubai International.”

“DXB is a global crossroads where over 250,000 people from around the world connect and engage with our airport, its products and services and each other every day,” said Eugene Barry, Executive Vice President, Commercial at Dubai Airports.

“It is the ideal place to celebrate all the cultural diversity, excitement and national fervor the World Cup is renowned for and we are confident our passengers will absolutely love it.”

Official FIFA World CupTM merchandise is also on sale at Dubai Duty Free throughout the airport. To enhance the passenger experience during the tournament, Dubai Duty Free customers spending AED 500 or more using their Visa card will get a 10% voucher on official FIFA World CupTM merchandise.

The 21st FIFA World Cup is taking place in Russia between 14th June – 15th July at 12 venues in 11 cities, after the country was awarded the hosting rights on 2nd December 2010. This will be the first World Cup held in Europe since the 2006 tournament in Germany, the first ever to be held in Eastern Europe and the eleventh time that it has been held in Europe.