• Performers at Al Wasl Dome help to mark World Children's Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National
    Performers at Al Wasl Dome help to mark World Children's Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Mexican band Vazquez Sounds perform at Al Wasl Dome during World Children's Day
    Mexican band Vazquez Sounds perform at Al Wasl Dome during World Children's Day
  • Tanzanian singer Abby Chams was among the artists to perform at the Expo
    Tanzanian singer Abby Chams was among the artists to perform at the Expo
  • Youths read from books to help celebrate World Children's Day
    Youths read from books to help celebrate World Children's Day
  • The occasion has been marked by a variety of events and performances at the Expo
    The occasion has been marked by a variety of events and performances at the Expo
  • Lebanese singer Yara, a regional ambassador for the UN children's fund, at Al Wasl Dome
    Lebanese singer Yara, a regional ambassador for the UN children's fund, at Al Wasl Dome
  • World Children’s Day is celebrated on November 20 each year to promote international togetherness and awareness among children around the globe.
    World Children’s Day is celebrated on November 20 each year to promote international togetherness and awareness among children around the globe.
  • The occasion has been marked at Expo by musical performances
    The occasion has been marked at Expo by musical performances
  • Visitors enjoy the events organised to mark World Children's Day at the Expo
    Visitors enjoy the events organised to mark World Children's Day at the Expo
  • The performances were organised by the world’s fair, the UAE's Ministry of Community Development and Unicef
    The performances were organised by the world’s fair, the UAE's Ministry of Community Development and Unicef
  • Visitors have been treated to a variety of different music
    Visitors have been treated to a variety of different music
  • UAE jets fly over Al Wasl Dome during World Children's Day
    UAE jets fly over Al Wasl Dome during World Children's Day
  • Visitors could attend talks and events throughout the day
    Visitors could attend talks and events throughout the day
  • Performers from around the world have taken part in the occasion
    Performers from around the world have taken part in the occasion
  • Visitors enjoy a performances at Al Wasl Dome
    Visitors enjoy a performances at Al Wasl Dome
  • The Expo has hosted a variety of performers and musicians to help mark World Children's Day
    The Expo has hosted a variety of performers and musicians to help mark World Children's Day

Expo 2020 Dubai records 4.1 million visits in seven weeks


Kelly Clarke
  • English
  • Arabic

Expo 2020 Dubai has welcomed more than four million visits through its gates since opening to the public on October 1.

Figures released on Monday showed there were 4,156,985 visits in the past seven weeks, with the popular Irish show, Riverdance, helping to draw the crowds during the evenings throughout November.

Organisers said sales of the half-price November ticket, which costs just Dh45 until the end of the month, were also going strong, with more than 120,000 weekday tickets sold over the past three weeks.

In terms of the number of virtual visits, Expo said those going online to catch a glimpse of the world fair reached a staggering 22 million.

"I'm also delighted to say that the schools programme is very active now thanks to the better weather," said Sconaid McGeachin, senior vice president of communications for Expo 2020 Dubai.

"Over the past 31 days, Expo has attracted over 200,000 [pupils] from private and public schools across the UAE.

"[Pupils] have enjoyed four dedicated school journeys related to themes like the Legacy of the UAE and Sustainable Planet."

Coming up this week and for the first time in Expo history, the fair will host the World Chess Championship.

Starting on November 24 and running until December 16, visitors to the Dubai Exhibition Halls will be able to see two world-class players go head-to-head.

Magnus Carlsen, from Norway, and Ian Nepomniachtchi, from Russia, will start their 14-game match this week and will battle it out for a €2 million ($2.25 million) prize pot, split 60-40.

The world fair has welcomed hordes of international visitors since opening last month and passengers flying on Emirates have been able to get their hands on a free day-pass to the Expo site too.

To claim your pass, just enter your details on the Emirates website under the Expo tab and the tickets will be mailed directly to the person who booked the flights. The offer is valid until March 31, 2022.

Street performers at Expo 2020 Dubai – in pictures

  • Performers during the Antigua and Barbuda National Day Parade at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Performers during the Antigua and Barbuda National Day Parade at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Street dancers entertain the crowd. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Street dancers entertain the crowd. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • A bubble performer entertains visitors to the world's fair. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    A bubble performer entertains visitors to the world's fair. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Traditional Russian performers during Russia Fest at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Traditional Russian performers during Russia Fest at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • More bubbles in Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    More bubbles in Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Pauliteiros de Miranda, a traditional Portuguese dance, at the Portugal pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Pauliteiros de Miranda, a traditional Portuguese dance, at the Portugal pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Performers at Expo 2020, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Performers at Expo 2020, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • An acrobat dressed as a bee performs in the air during the Colours of the World daily parade on the streets of Expo 2020 Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    An acrobat dressed as a bee performs in the air during the Colours of the World daily parade on the streets of Expo 2020 Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Opti the robot entertains families on the streets of Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Opti the robot entertains families on the streets of Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Music on the streets of Dubai for Expo 2020. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Music on the streets of Dubai for Expo 2020. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Street dancers entertain the crowds. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Street dancers entertain the crowds. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • A giant tiger puppet prowls the streets. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A giant tiger puppet prowls the streets. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Bert van Marwijk factfile

Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder

Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia

Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands

Updated: November 22, 2021, 8:53 AM