10 best places to catch the action

1The Barasti Beach Stadium

The structure looking eerily like a nuclear power station that has appeared on the beach behind the Meridien Mina Seyahi is in fact Barasti Bar's air-conditioned Mega Dome, purpose-built to provide a stadium-like atmosphere in front of a monstrous 12 metre-wide screen. Other entertainment surprises lie in store, we are told. Free entry.

Le Meridien Mina Seyahi 04-318 1313. Open daily from 2pm-2.30am throughout the tournament

 2 Football Central at Emirates Golf Club

Huge indoor venue with huge screens, top-quailty audio equipment, DJ and other entertainment. Book a table of 10 for Dh675 and get 24 beverage bottles and two deluxe snack platters thrown in. Or book a majlis chalet (40 people minimum, prices start from Dh125 per person) overlooking the famous golf course course and have your own private World Cup party! Free entry.

Emirates Golf Club 04-380 2222

3 The Address Ballroom, Dubai Marina

The constellation ballroom at The Address, Dubai Marina, covers a huge 900 square metres which will be transformed into a facsimile of a football pitch for the duration of the tournament. The venue promises top quality TV and audio, plus scattered beanbags and a lounge area with an extensive range of food and drinks. Free entry.

The Address, Dubai Marina 04-436 7418

 4 Irish Village

Located next to the tennis stadium, the huge tent used in the past for music festivals and the Rugby World Cup will be resurrected in style for South Africa 2010. Football atmosphere guaranteed with terraces, seating for 1,000, gi-normous plasma screens, and football-themed food and drinks deals. Visit on six days during the tournament and you will enter a draw for a four-day trip for two to Istanbul. Free entry.

Irish Village 04-282 4122

5 Meridien Village, Garhoud

Vist the Majlis Tent opposite Warehouse and enjoy all the action on a 6x4 metre giant TV screen. What's more there will be food and beverage discounts throughout depending on, for example, when goals are scored and yellow cards are shown. Guess the correct score and win 50 per cent off on your bill on your next visit. Free entry.

Le Meridien Village, Garhoud. For table bookings call 04-702 2560

 6 QD's, Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club

Experience every match live on plasma screens from the air-conditioned seating at the Boardwalk or Lakeview, or from the super "fever pitch" tent at QD's which is open now and will stay open beyond the World Cup until October 1. Free entry.

Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club 04-295 6000

7 Grand Cinemas

You can't get much bigger than a movie theatre screen and what could be a more family-friendly way to watch the World Cup than inside the cinema. Grand Cinemas are showing all of the games for the price of a normal cinema ticket. Doors will be open 30 minutes prior to each match. But beware, the final will cost you Dh100 for a ticket. Some later round matches may be shown in 3D, but this is yet to be confirmed. Dh35 per game upwards.

Grand Cinemas across Dubai. 04-232 8523, www.grandcinemas.com.

 8 The Hush Football Lounge

A more laid-back atmosphere is the aim of this football-themed "stadium" on the beach at Madinat Jumeirah adjacent to the Burj Al Arab.

Take in some shisha to chill out in air-conditioned surroundings while your favourites battle it out. A VIP Lounge has HD TVs and games consoles. Free entry. Over 18s only.

Hush Football Lounge 04-366 6162. Opens daily an hour before the first game kicks off

9 Stills Bar and Brasserie, Crowne Plaza Yas Island

Fancy a football weekend away in a five-star hotel? The popular 26-metre-long bar in Stills at the Crowne Plaza on Yas Island may have the answer.

All the games will be shown but it is the hotel's package deals which catch the eye.

For Dh600 you and four mates can score 30 drinks vouchers (worth Dh840) and five food vouchers (worth Dh400), a saving of over Dh600.

Upgrade that to a "Silver" package for Dh1,000 and you will get 40 drinks vouchers worth Dh1,120, eight food vouchers worth Dh640, swimming pool access for the day (normally costs Dh90) and a one-night stay in a suite worth Dh1,225 - a staggering saving of more than Dh2,000. Free entry.

Crowne Plaza Yas Island 02-656 3053

 10 Sheraton Abu Dhabi pool

What more decadent and cool way to watch the games than from the swimming pool! With beanbags and pillows laid on, soak up the fresh air and stay cool by taking regular dips while shouting for your country. Dress the best in your country's colours and win drinks vouchers. Entry is free, snacks and beverages available.

Sheraton Abu Dhabi 02-697 0224