Dubai became the first city in the Middle East to have its own Monopoly board with the game being officially unveiled earlier this week. The iconic game, which first hit the shelves in 1935 and has since been played by more than one billion people, has over 100 city-themed boards, which include Durban (South Africa), Dublin (Ireland), Leon (France), Krakow (Poland) and Sydney and Melbourne (Australia). Monopoly also has among other country editions versions specific to India and Singapore.
Monopoly Dubai features Dubai Frame, Dubai Opera and Dubai Miracle Garden, as well as Commercial Bank of Dubai, with the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah being the most expensive on the board.
It also features shopping centres like Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Festival City, tourist destinations such as La Mer, CityWalk, Al Seef, Blue Waters, Dubai Marina, Burj Khalifa, Atlantis Aquaventure and Atlantis The Palm Hotel and Resort.
Dubai Holding has a total of five property squares on the board, the largest number of locations by a single company.
“We are 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,” said Abdulla Al Habbai, Chairman of Dubai Holding.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Jumeirah Emirates Towers are also prime-locations on the board.
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.”