MONOPOLY Dubai, the first regionally inspired version of the iconic board game MONOPOLY, was officially launched at the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Dubai Holding has a total of five property squares on the board, the largest number of locations by a single company. The luxurious Burj Al Arab Jumeirah was officially unveiled as the most exclusive property on the board. Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Jumeirah Emirates Towers were also featured as prime locations in the Dubai-centred edition of the popular property trading board game.

Players will also be able to experience winning other landmark destinations from Dubai Holding’s portfolio on the board game: Souk Madinat Jumeirah, the authentic re-creation of an ancient Middle Eastern marketplace, and Global Village, the world’s leading multicultural festival park.

Dubai was chosen as the first city in the Middle East to have its own edition of MONOPOLY, which first hit the shelves in 1935 and has since been played by more than one billion people. With its portfolio of renowned luxury hotels, world-class shopping malls and unique entertainment experiences, Dubai was the ideal fit for the first edition in the region.

HE Abdulla Al Habbai, Chairman of Dubai Holding said: “We are pleased to have partnered with Hasbro and Winning Moves to bring MONOPOLY Dubai to the city and the world. We are also honoured to have the largest number of hotels and destinations featured on the board game. Dubai Holding has shaped the urban fabric of the emirate for the past 15 years by delivering a range of pioneering landmarks, and we are proud to see many of those featured representing the region.”

HE Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), said: “Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood is an iconic part of the heritage and culture of Dubai and it is fitting that it will now be part of the MONOPOLY Dubai board. The houses of the neighbourhood include museums, galleries and cultural centres and the area is also home to many of Dubai Culture’s artistic events that take place all year round. We consider Al Fahidi to be one of the central locations for modern and historic culture and we are proud to sit alongside other important landmarks in this classic family game that will offer visitors and residents a new way to look at the city of Dubai.”

Jose Silva, CEO of Jumeirah Group, said: “MONOPOLY is held dear by many who grew up with the board game and we are immensely proud to have our most iconic Jumeirah hotels eternalised in the Dubai Edition. The inclusion of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Jumeirah Emirates Towers will cement the brand’s legacy, both in the city and across the world, for years to come.”

Jumeirah’s Hotels and Resorts have been interwoven into the identity of the city for the past 22 years, contributing to putting Dubai firmly on the world map. Of the properties included, the iconic sail-shaped silhouette of Burj Al Arab stands tall as a beacon of modern Dubai and is characterised by the finest hospitality one can ever experience. Jumeirah Emirates Towers, often described as an architectural icon, comprising of two equilateral triangles, lends its landmark structure to unparalleled hospitality, upscale retail and unique dining opportunities. The final Jumeirah branded contribution to the board, Jumeirah Beach Hotel with its wave-inspired curvature, was the Group’s pioneering property, home to sweeping panoramic scenes of the Arabian Gulf, an award-winning spa and internationally recognised family friendly facilities.

Nabil Ramadhan, CEO Dubai Retail, said: “Given the popularity of MONOPOLY worldwide, this new edition will offer a wonderful opportunity to introduce one of Dubai’s most iconic retail locations, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, amongst Dubai’s biggest and best-known locations to a wider international audience.”

Commenting on the occasion, Bader Anwahi, CEO of Global Village, said: “We are proud to have been selected as a landmark in the Dubai edition of the much-loved MONOPOLY board game. Global Village is an integral part of the remarkable success story of Dubai, and partnerships with world-renowned brands such as Hasbro and Winning Moves are testament to our growing international recognition.

“This partnership is consistent with Global Village’s mission to create everlasting family memories and extraordinary ‘wow’ moments.”

The MONOPOLY Dubai board game features a number of famous locations and cultural attractions in the Emirate, most notably Al Fahidi Historical District, which reflects the Emirati heritage and is closely managed by Dubai Culture; Dubai Frame, the latest tourist landmark in the emirate developed by Dubai Municipality; Dubai Opera, which has hosted tens of performances since its inception; and Dubai Miracle Garden, the largest flower garden in Dubai that features art formations made of more than 50 million flowers.

All properties on the board of MONOPOLY Dubai have now been revealed including schools, financial institutions such as Commercial Bank of Dubai, shopping centres like Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Festival City; in addition to, other tourist destinations such as La Mer, CityWalk, Al Seef, Blue Waters, Dubai Marina, Burj Khalifa, Atlantis Aquaventure and Atlantis The Palm Hotel and Resort. The new board game will go on sale as of today.

Mr. Monopoly, the famous character that has represented the game for decades, arrived in the city for a few weeks’ visit, prior to the Dubai edition’s launch ceremony. He toured the emirate and visited key cultural and touristic destinations.

The Monopoly Dubai Launch Video can be viewed and downloaded on this link