The English Premier League (EPL) is the most watched domestic football tournament on the planet. Made up of 20 teams, playing against each other over 9 months, for one to be crowned English Champions.
It attracts the some of the best players from around the world, including Argentina's Qatar World Cup 2022 winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland, Egyptian star striker Mohamed Salah, Brazilian super star Gabriel Jesus and England sensation Jack Grealish.
The fascination with this league is not limited to England fans and English expats, as it's global reach has built fan bases from nearly every corner of the world, and the teams and players watched globally.
Dubai is no different, with clubs and stars from the EPL followed in their thousands, and fans meeting up in cafes and bars to watch all the action from all the matches.
With so many places to watch live football, finding somewhere to really soak in the match day atmosphere as if being at the game itself is important, and for fans of many EPL clubs, Dubai offers just that.
Watching the games at cafes and bars alongside other fans of the same EPL team offers an electric experience, and the next best thing to being inside the stadium itself.
Supporters from 12 of the 20 EPL teams, have each established one particular venue for their team, where Dubai-based fans, and visiting fans, can meet up on match day, watch their team play and share in the glory, or pain, after the final whistle.
If on the hunt to watch the games with like-minded fans with the same thing in common, then keep reading as Connector is here.
garden on 8, Media One Hotel
After leading the EPL for most of the 2022 to 2023 season, North London club Arsenal FC came close to lifting the title for the first time in almost 20 years, and will hope to go one better this time around. Supporters of the 'Gunners' can follow their journey at garden on 8 at Media One Hotel in Media City. The venue features a unique urban rooftop setting as well as indoor seating, with ample space to relax with friends and family and cheer on the team. To make sure not a minute of the action is missed, large screens are added, and after the game, a foosball table is available to keep people entertained.
www.garden-on-8.com
Rose and Crown, Al Habtoor City
Aston Villa FC have a long history in football since the leagues were formed. Their chairman, William McGregor, was the founder of The Football League in 1888, the first organised football league in the world, and from where the EPL evolved. One of the most successful and decorated teams in English football, and undoubtedly the most successful team in England's West Midlands, Aston Villa seem to be very much on a resurgence after a few seasons of underachieving. Supporters of Aston Villa looking to catch the game with other 'Villans' need to head down to Rose and Crown in Al Habtoor City. The British pub set over 2 floors, features a number of television screens on each wall and if that was not enough to make sure everyone gets to watch, a large projector screen is in place, where visitors will not miss a second of the games. After the match, a dart board and pool table are available for those in a competitive mood. The iconic red British telephone booth can be found at the entrance to get that typically British photograph, in a different country.
www.roseandcrowndubai.com
Belgian Cafe, Grand Millennium Barsha Heights
For the last 20 years, Chelsea FC have been one of the most successful English football teams, winning the EPL five times and the UEFA Champions League twice. However, the team finished last season in the bottom half of the EPL for the first time in almost 30 years. With a new manager at the helm, Dubai fans can watch to see if the 'Blues' can return to winning ways at the Belgian Cafe in Grand Millennium Barsha Heights. The bar is inspired by the Belgian bars in Brussels from the 18th century, is based over two floors indoor and a terrace with an open roof, where football fans can catch the game from every corner through the two large screens and 11 screens around the bar. Fans can also delight in dishes including prawn skewers, fish and chips, and chicken escalope. During breaks or to unwind after the thrilling match, make the most of darts, board games and the rooftop mini-golf.
www.millenniumhotels.com
Goose Island Tap House, Five Hotel JVC
Crystal Palace FC are currently the only team representing South London in the EPL, and fans of the 'Eagles' in Dubai gather for matches at Goose Island Tap House at Five Hotel JVC. The bar is a great spot to watch the EPL match, with multiple screens decorating the restaurant to get a glimpse of every second of the game. Tuck into a delicious international menu with choices including appetisers, salads, loaded house fries and pizzas. Fans can finish off the evening with a game of pool with friends or enjoy the only indoor golf simulators in a sports pub.
www.gooseislanddubai.com
McGettigan's Souk Madinat Jumeirah
One of the longest-established English football clubs, supporters of Everton FC in Dubai meet up to watch their matches at McGettigan's Souk Madinat Jumeirah. While watching the 'Toffees' with fellow Everton fans, guests can enjoy delicious Irish and international dishes from starters, flatbreads and mains including chicken gyoza, Wagyu beef chilli nachos, burrata and mushroom flatbread, cod and chips, and sticky toffee pudding. The restaurant also has an outdoor seating area, where fans can enjoy a relaxing meal and catch up with friends after watching the game, while taking in the views of Burj Al Arab.
www.mcgettigans.com
McGettigan's JLT
Liverpool FC are one of the most recognisable names in English football, and their large Dubai fan base gather at the popular McGettigan's JLT at the Bonnington Hotel, in JLT. A great place to catch the EPL matches this football season, from multiple television screens around the restaurant. Fans can also delight in dishes from pasta, flatbread to salads including falafel wrap, Mexico beef taco, fish cakes, pan-roasted chicken breast, and Wagyu beef chilli nachos, and wash it down with a range of drinks. Guests can also enjoy sitting outdoors and catching the game, as the temperatures drop in the UAE.
www.mcgettigans.com
Mr Toad's, Premier Inn Barsha Heights
Manchester City FC have had a growing presence in the UAE since they were acquired by Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, and that presence can be seen each match day at Mr Toad's at Premier Inn Barsha Heights. The modern bar and restaurant serves up a traditional British dining experience with dishes including pulled beef sliders, loaded fries, lemon garlic popcorn chicken and buffalo chicken wings. The venue has a large screen at the centre and multiple screens scattered around to get a glimpse of the game at all times. The restaurant also has an outdoor terrace, where during the cooler months, visitors can enjoy watching the games from the comfort of an outside table.
www.mr-toads-pub-kitchen.com
Harvesters, Millennium Plaza Downtown
One of the most decorated English football clubs, Manchester United have a strong international following, with fans in many countries around the world. Dubai-based fans meet to cheer the 'Red Devils' on at Harvesters at Millennium Plaza Downtown. The British sports bar will be live-steaming all matches throughout the football season on several screens, making it a great place to enjoy the football action. Delight in an endless choice of drinks as the bar is home to 16 different types of hops from 10 different countries. Tuck into dishes from Indian flavours to light bites including tikka masala, cheese quesadilla, crunchy chicken schnitzel, spicy chick fries and traditional cheesecake.
www.harvesters-restaurant.com
Brooklyn Bar, Elite Byblos Hotel
Newcastle United fans head down to Brooklyn Bar at Elite Byblos Hotel, Al Barsha to watch the game alongside other Magpies fans, during the English Premier League. The American sports bar will stream all the matches on big screens to ensure fans can watch every single part of the game. Tuck into a variety of American dishes and international dishes including mac and cheese, Philly cheese steak sandwich, Brooklyn burger, chicken tenders, Brooklyn hot dog, seafood pizza and crabstick salad. After the football action, challenge friends to a few rounds of pool and darts.
www.brooklyn-bar-dubai.com
Spikes Sports Bar and Terrace, Emirates Golf Club
After an absence of two seasons, Sheffield United are back in the top tier of English football, and supporters of the 'Blades' can watch their team in action at Spikes Sports Bar and Terrace at Emirates Golf Club. Fans will not miss a minute of the game with 16 screens around the bar and restaurant, as well as a large screen on the terrace, great for the cooler months. Tuck into dishes like prawn kunafa, Spike Wagyu beef burger, poached lobster salad, supreme nachos and chicken wings, while taking in the views of the lush golf course.
www.spike-bar.com
Double Decker Pub, Swissotel Al Murooj
Double Decker Pub at Swissotel Al Murooj, Downtown Dubai, is home to the Dubai-based supporters of North London team Tottenham Hotspur. The bar has a delicious range of food to enjoy including chicken tikka salad, sloppy joe slider, steak and chips and citrus lamb rack, for all that visit. While at the pub, fans of the English Premier League can catch the game happening throughout the season, with a large screen at the centre and multiple screens around the restaurant. An outdoor terrace is also available for individuals to catch the match and enjoy the view, during the cooler months.
www.double-decker-pub.com
Nelson's, Media Rotana
After a season where they won a major trophy for the first time in 43 years, West Ham United supporters will again be gathering at Nelson's at Media Rotana, Barsha Heights. The bar live streams the games on the video wall, featuring a large screen and also has multiple televisions around the venue, to catch every second of the game, making it a brilliant place to catch all the sporting action throughout the EPL season. While watching the 'Hammers', tuck into delicious traditional British dishes including cobb salad, bangers and mash, charcoal grilled prawns, smoked salmon and avocado, steak sandwich and apple pie, as well as hops on tap. During breaks and to unwind after the nail-biting games, fans can also play a round of pool.
www.rotana.com