Majid Al Futtaim has unveiled The Hangout by Mall of the Emirates, a new indoor-outdoor lifestyle and entertainment precinct that marks a major milestone in the destination's AED 5 billion transformation.
The development brings entertainment, dining and social experiences together in one connected space, reflecting how people increasingly choose to spend their time.
The precinct will introduce four entertainment concepts and 18 food and beverage experiences. During Dubai's cooler months, it will extend outdoors through the mall's first dedicated F&B courtyard, a landscaped social space linked to the indoor areas by fully operable façades. A climate-controlled outdoor pedestrian connection to New Covent Garden Theatre and Fashion Dome will also improve movement across the wider entertainment district.
The Hangout will open in phases through 2026 and into early 2027. Majid Al Futtaim says it is an important step in the evolution of Mall of the Emirates from a leading shopping destination into a multi-dimensional lifestyle destination that gives people more reasons to visit, stay longer and return more often.
Khalifa Bin Braik, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management, said destinations now compete for people's time as much as their spend.
"The Hangout responds to that shift by bringing entertainment, dining and social experiences together in a way that creates more reasons for people to visit, stay and connect,"
he said. He added that the AED 5 billion investment is about changing how the destination is experienced rather than simply adding new concepts.
Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment and Lifestyle, said customers increasingly want experiences that are active, social and shared. He described the precinct as the future of location-based entertainment, offering greater choice and long-term value for the wider destination.
Four entertainment concepts
Activate, the world's first active gaming experience, will open in October 2026 after its debut at City Centre Mirdif. It combines physical activity with immersive gameplay across 12 light-up rooms and more than 50 interactive challenges. It is designed for guests aged six and above, who can compete in teams and climb a global leaderboard.
SOCO will open in the fourth quarter of 2026 as a 2,700 sq. m social entertainment destination. It will feature bowling lanes, UAE-first simulators, AR darts, karaoke and VIP party rooms, alongside curated dining, and is designed for visitors of all ages.
Explorers will follow in the first quarter of 2027, also after its City Centre Mirdif debut. The 2,500 sq. m family destination is built for children aged 1 to 12 and will offer three immersive play zones, including suspended net climbs and STEM-focused water play. Hands-on workshops in cooking, woodworking and arts will sit alongside free play.
Magic Planet, one of the region's most recognised family entertainment brands, will return in 2027 in a reimagined form for a new generation. It will bring together familiar favourites and new innovations.
A new dining destination
The 18 F&B experiences will include 12 restaurants and four kiosks, spanning Indian, Levantine, Italian and Pan-Asian cuisines. Confirmed names so far are Fatt Pundit, Crunch, Apollo, Asma, Junk Smash Burger, Public Pizzeria, Crystal Jade Noodle Bar and Feels, with more to be announced. Two of the entertainment destinations will also include their own dining offerings.
The wider transformation
The Hangout forms part of one of the most significant investments in Mall of the Emirates since it opened more than two decades ago. The broader programme also includes a luxury wellness club, new dining precincts and a new theatre, along with improvements to accessibility, mobility and the customer journey, including barrierless parking.
Together, the changes reflect the shifting role of the modern mall, moving from a focus on transactions to one built around experiences, connection and community. As Mall of the Emirates looks to its next 20 years, The Hangout offers an early look at that future.
News Source: Gambit
