Yas Island Metaverse showcases Abu Dhabi’s rise as a global sports city

Next month, more than 150,000 people from around the world will travel to Abu Dhabi for the Formula 1 season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit. Hundreds of millions more will experience the action by watching the scene and sound of the broadcast on TV, computer and smartphone screens. However, thanks to the launch of the Yas Island Metaverse, they may soon be closer to in-person experience.

Yas Island One of the iconic destinations in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Its 25-square-kilometer area is home to many world-class shopping centers, restaurants and cafes, beach clubs, hotels, leisure and entertainment venues, theme parks and sports facilities. The Metaverse project aims to expand coverage by creating virtual replicas that allow users to experience and engage with activities, attractions and adventures – such as riding the world’s fastest roller coaster at Ferrari World or driving a racing car on an F1 track – residents and visitors have already Know the real world version.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism is leading this move into the metaverse. It brings together a consortium of local partners including Aldar Property Development, twofour54 Media Production, Miral Destination Management, Abu Dhabi Motorsports and Flash Entertainment. Roblox, The Sandbox and Super League Gaming – among the current leading platforms in the virtual world space – will be used to build digital destinations. The collective effort to put Abu Dhabi in a virtual world takes the community far beyond novelty.

Over the past fifteen years or so, the development of the physical world island has led to its inclusion Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, the government plans to transform the emirate by shifting from a reliance on the oil sector to a focus on knowledge-based industries. Sport plays a key role under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. But don’t judge the job by its title alone. The effort is to take fair measures, both economically and socially.

Over the past decade, Abu Dhabi has been actively developing its status as a global hub for international sporting events. Hosting major sporting events can drive tourism and business.

The first NBA game in the Arabian Gulf region was played at the Etihad Arena on the island earlier this month.multi-year contracts—and sold out crowd– Means more games coming to the cutting-edge 18,000-seat sports and entertainment venue. The World Triathlon Championship Finals, the FIBA ​​3×3 World Tour Finals and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship weekend are all sporting events in the months ahead. Last year, the FINA World Swimming Championships were held here. UFC fans have known since 2010 that Yas Island hosts mixed martial arts events – and more recently, “Fighting Island,” a project that kicked off when the UFC used the site as a “bubble.” . Continued in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But sport also has the power to encourage health, inclusion and cooperation between communities of all kinds. This is a meaningful part of Abu Dhabi’s vision. Yas Island has prominent features within its range.

This Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Racing at Yas Marina Circuit is more than just hours of racing. This is a week-long sports festival where fans and tourists can enter many public spaces throughout Yas Island and the emirate. The nearly 3.5-mile (5.5-kilometer) track can also be configured in five different ways to suit the requirements of various racing events. Meanwhile, the same track is open twice a week throughout the year for people to walk or jog, and cyclists of all ages and abilities can cycle for free.

How can sport promote economic growth and social innovation? How can sport be used to positively impact people’s lives and communities? How does sport develop cooperation between communities, cities and nations?

Projects like the Yas Island Metaverse can provide some useful answers to these questions, giving people access to parts of the physical and digital world that we may not otherwise have access to. For those so inclined, it’s time to start your engine.