The Hangout at Mall of the Emirates will bring four entertainment concepts and 18 food-and-beverage experiences to the mall, with openings planned in phases from October 2026 through early 2027. Majid Al Futtaim announced the indoor-outdoor precinct on 1 October as part of the mall’s AED 5 billion transformation.
Plans pair a new dining district with four family and social entertainment concepts, plus a seasonal outdoor courtyard. The official announcement says the courtyard will connect to the indoor precinct through fully operable façades, while a climate-controlled pedestrian link will run to New Covent Garden Theatre and Fashion Dome.
A second rendering published with What’s On’s coverage shows the proposed multi-level atrium and planted walkways.
The Hangout brings four experiences to Mall of the Emirates
The concepts will arrive in stages, rather than opening as one finished attraction. The dates announced by Majid Al Futtaim match Arabian Business’ report, which also gives more detail on the planned venues.
Activate is scheduled to open in October 2026. The active-gaming venue will use 12 light-up rooms and more than 50 challenges that combine physical activity and technology; the company says it is intended for guests aged six and above. Activate previously debuted at City Centre Mirdif.
SOCO is scheduled for Q4 2026, with a 2,700-square-metre space for bowling, UAE-first simulators, augmented-reality darts, karaoke and private VIP rooms. The social entertainment concept is aimed at groups and families, with food and drink incorporated into the venue. tbreak has also covered SOCO’s planned City Centre Mirdif venue, including its listed games and prices.
Explorers is due in Q1 2027. The 2,500-square-metre family attraction will be designed for children aged one to 12, with three play zones, suspended net climbs, STEM-focused water play and hands-on workshops in cooking, woodworking and arts. It, too, has already debuted at City Centre Mirdif.
Magic Planet is the last concept in the current schedule, with a reimagined version planned for 2027. Majid Al Futtaim says it will combine familiar attractions with new experiences for families; it has not published a more specific opening date.
The Hangout’s 18 dining experiences include a courtyard
The planned food-and-beverage line-up comprises 12 restaurants, four kiosks and two dining experiences inside the entertainment venues. Names announced so far include Fatt Pundit, Crunch, Apollo, Asma, Junk Smash Burger, Public Pizzeria, Crystal Jade Noodle Bar and Feels. The company says further concepts will be announced later.
The outdoor courtyard is intended for Dubai’s cooler months and will connect to the indoor precinct through façades that can be opened. That gives the dining space an outdoor option in season, while the indoor areas remain connected to the mall’s entertainment offer. The release does not give the courtyard’s capacity or a calendar for its seasonal operation.
Majid Al Futtaim says two of the four entertainment venues will have their own food-and-beverage offers, which explains why the 18-experience count is larger than the restaurant and kiosk totals alone. Its list therefore mixes stand-alone places to eat with dining attached to activities, rather than 18 separate restaurants.
A small part of Mall of the Emirates’ AED 5bn transformation
The Hangout is one part of the mall’s wider AED 5 billion transformation. The company says the programme also includes a luxury wellness club, additional dining precincts, a new theatre, and improvements to accessibility, mobility and the visitor journey, including barrierless parking.
Khalifa Bin Braik, chief executive of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management, said the project reflects competition for visitors’ time as well as their spending.
“Today, destinations are competing for people’s time as much as their spend.”
Khalifa Bin Braik, chief executive of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management
The announcement does not include ticket prices, booking links or exact opening days for the four venues. Activate has the nearest stated opening window—October 2026—while the other concepts are scheduled across the fourth quarter, the first quarter of 2027 and 2027. Visitors will need to check Mall of the Emirates’ own updates for booking and day-specific details as each venue approaches opening.
Which experience has the broadest stated age range?
Explorers has the broadest published range, for children aged one to 12. Activate is for guests aged six and above; the announcement does not give age ranges for the other concepts.
Which cuisines are confirmed for The Hangout?
Majid Al Futtaim says the dining line-up will include Indian, Levantine, Italian and Pan-Asian options. Confirmed names include Fatt Pundit, Asma, Public Pizzeria and Crystal Jade Noodle Bar.
What should visitors check before making a trip?
The release gives broad opening windows, but not exact days, operating hours, ticket prices or booking instructions. Confirm those details with Mall of the Emirates or the individual venue before travelling.
Does the announcement say any existing attractions will close?
No closures are mentioned. Majid Al Futtaim describes The Hangout as a new precinct and says Magic Planet will be reimagined, but gives no details about any existing venue closing.
