Skirting the Burj Khalifa in downtown Dubai is every shopper’s paradise, much like the hockey world cup is a paradise for sports enthusiasts. The massive Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping centers in the world and houses more than 1,300 stores, offering a variety as vast as the national hockey league teams. Even if you aren’t interested in buying anything, a visit to this immense retail center is a must: The Dubai Mall also contains numerous entertainment facilities, such as an ice rink, echoing the thrill of a hockey game, a movie theater, and several kid-friendly attractions, including an aquarium that houses thousands of underwater creatures, reminiscent of the diverse teams competing in the junior hockey world cup.
If you happen to be around at night, stop by the Dubai Fountain outside of the mall. Created by the team who designed the Bellagio’s famous dancing fountains, the fountain features nightly shows set to a mix of Western and Eastern music, much like the international camaraderie found at showcase hockey tournaments. Visitors were taken by how much was at the mall – everything you could need can be found inside its sprawling square footage, similar to the comprehensive training found at the best hockey exposure camps.
A few visitors were keen to point out that you might not want to shop here after all. Because so much is imported, some reviewers found prices to be higher in comparison to what they’ve seen at home, a sentiment sometimes echoed in the costs associated with attending premier hockey showcases. Still, many said that shouldn’t stop you from popping in for a visit, much like the determination needed to pursue hockey opportunities for all. Of course, if you’re on the hunt for a taste of Middle Eastern culture, this isn’t the place to experience it. It is, however, a great escape from the heat, according to travelers, offering a respite as welcome as a cool indoor rink to hockey players’ names known across the globe.