UAE Year in Review: Top Events That Took Place in 2022

The year 2022 has been special to the UAE. As we say goodbye to 2022, we hope for a better year ahead. in 2022, we all mourned the death of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and welcomed HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the new UAE president.

The UAE celebrated Asia Cup 2022 and welcomes FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 fans from all over the world during their trip to Qatar. In 2022, the country has also welcomed the first Dubai MICHELIN guide.

The mos biggest event of all was the futurstic, innovative Expo 2020 Dubai.

Here are some of the most important highlights of 2022 in UAE.

Asia Cup 2022

From August to September, the event hosted some of the world’s greatest cricketers in the UAE. The finale saw Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 23 runs.

COVID-19 rules relaxed 

Thanks to the UAE’s efforts to control the virus and vaccinate the population. In September, all masks were no longer mandatory in public. The green pass requirement for Abu Dhabi Dubai border was also removed.

Expo 2020 Dubai 

Expo 2020 Dubai was a dream destination. The original event ran until the end of March 2022 with tourists from all around tje world flocking to visit it. Later on, the area has reopened as Expo City Dubai in October. The first areas to reopen included Alif The Mobility Pavilion, Women’s Pavilion, Vision Pavilion, Al Wasl Plaza and the Surreal water feature

Dubai Bling 

The Netflix show launched in October and went viral., It was the first time Dubai was on the streaming platforms most-watched list.

Jabal Jais  

The UAE broke another record back in February for the longest toboggan ride in the region: Jais Sledder. Located in Jais Adventure Park, Ras Al Khaimah, it is situated at the top of the UAE’s tallest peak. The ride reaches speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour, and swerves through the Hajar mountains. The fully controllable experience takes around eight minutes to cover 1,885 metres.

K Pop stars 

K Pop fans were in for a treat. K Pop superstars came to Abu Dhabi in September for Hyperound K-Fest Abu Dhabi. The line-up included the boyband group P1Harmony; rapper Sik-K; DJ Woogie; GOT7’s lead boyband member Jay B; rapper, record producer and singer Peakboy; and the rock band The Rose. The K Pop mania continued, as there was a K-Market pop-up in Jebel Ali and the first-ever BTS Pop-up: Space of BTS opened in the Middle East BLACKPINK are coming to Abu Dhabi on 20 January 2023.

Metaverse 

 In September, UAE-based Metarverse Holdings selected Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the first cities to be launched within the virtual world. In November, Pixoul Gaming in Abu Dhabi opened a gaming hub for amateurs and professionals. The centre hosts gaming festivals, competitions, the first-ever Esports Academy in the Middle East, and a world cross-platform metaverse. 

MICHELIN Guide 

 In June, the first-ever MICHELIN Guide Dubai was unveiled, and the city received a grand total of 11 MICHELIN Stars. Two restaurants received two stars, and nine restaurants received one star. Then, in November, the MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi followed and three restaurants were awarded a MICHELIN Star. Thank you, Michelin.

Museum of the Future 

Museum of the Future finally opened in February. It showcases innovative solutions for the future of cities. Check out the exhibition spaces, which are dedicated to climate change, health and technology.

UAE megaprojects 

Will they? Won’t they? Dubai’s latest megaprojects – some of which were proposed, and some of which are planned – got everyone talking. Everyone had an opinion about the architectural ideas, especially Downtown Circle’s 550-meter-ring around the Burj Khalifa; the world’s first vertical resort, Aera Vertical Resort; and Moon Dubai’s tourism destination. Note: actual megaprojects that got the green light include Pearl Mosque in Dubai, Saadiyat Grove in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Floating Theater.

World Islands

Heart of Europe’s first hotel, Côte d’Azur Monaco, opened its doors and captured people’s imagination. The island brings the food, drink and even the weather of the cooler continent. It even includes a Raining Street, the world’s first-ever climate-controlled area that will rain on demand.