Meydan Group

Meydan Group is a government-backed Dubai real estate and lifestyle developer founded in 2007 under the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The group is best known for Meydan Racecourse (home of the Dubai World Cup), and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City master development — including District One, which features the world’s largest man-made Crystal Lagoon.

Meydan Group was established in 2007, with the concept announced on the eve of the Dubai World Cup that year. It was founded under the direct vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to create not just a world-class racecourse, but an entire integrated city combining sport, luxury living, business, hospitality, and entertainment on a scale unique to Dubai.

District One is Meydan’s flagship ultra-luxury master community within Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City — a 45-million sq. ft. residential development launched in 2014 as the AED 35 billion Meydan Sobha joint venture. Its centrepiece is the world’s largest man-made Crystal Lagoon — a 7km stretch of turquoise water with 14km of white sand beaches, an 8.4km cycling and jogging track, and 26 million sq. ft. of greenery. Villas range from AED 11 million, with 7-bedroom mansions reaching AED 90 million+.

The Crystal Lagoon in District One is the world’s largest man-made lagoon — a 7km stretch of crystal-clear turquoise water, maintained using patented Crystal Lagoons™ technology that keeps the water swimmable and pristine year-round. Fringed by 14km of man-made white sand beaches, the lagoon spans over 90 acres and offers kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and aqua aerobics to District One residents. It is considered the defining amenity of Dubai’s most prestigious villa community.

The Dubai World Cup is the world’s richest horse racing event, held annually at Meydan Racecourse on the last Saturday of March. First established in 1996 by HH Sheikh Mohammed, the event features nine races with $30.5 million in total prize money, including six Group 1 races. The Dubai World Cup has become one of the world’s most glamorous sporting and social events, attracting the world’s best horses, trainers, jockeys, and celebrity entertainers. The 30th anniversary edition takes place on 28 March 2026.

Meydan Racecourse opened on 27 March 2010 and is the world’s largest integrated racing facility. Its grandstand is 1.6km in length and accommodates over 60,000 spectators, featuring 72 corporate suites, 78 F&B outlets, and the world’s first five-star trackside hotel — The Meydan Hotel (285 rooms). The Guinness World Record-setting venue also includes a 9-hole golf course, horse-racing museum, marina, and free zone offices. It hosts the annual Dubai Racing Carnival (November–March) and the Dubai World Cup.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City (MBR City) is one of Dubai’s largest and most prestigious freehold master developments, covering approximately 47 million sq. ft. in the heart of the city — just minutes from Downtown Dubai. Developed by Meydan Group, MBR City encompasses District One (Crystal Lagoon community), District 11, Meydan Avenue, the Horizon development (39M sq. ft., planned for 72,000 residents), and the future Meydan One district. The wider area has attracted developments from Emaar, Sobha, Azizi, Ellington, Binghatti, and dozens of other major developers.

Meydan One is a visionary future district within MBR City featuring: the 711m Dubai One Tower (planned as the world’s tallest residential tower, with 885 apartments and a five-star hotel), Meydan One Mall (with 550+ retail outlets, 190 F&B venues, a 21-screen cinema, world’s longest indoor ski slope, and crystal lagoon access), a 4km canal with 100-berth marina, and a civic plaza. The wider development is designed to accommodate more than 83,000 residents.

Yes. All Meydan Group residential developments in MBR City — including District One, District One West, and District 11 — are fully freehold, available to both UAE nationals and foreign investors with complete ownership rights. Properties valued at AED 2 million or above qualify buyers for the UAE Golden Visa. Typical payment plans for Meydan projects are 60/40 (60% during construction, 40% on handover). Demand for District One villas is exceptionally high — nearly 90% of inventory was sold within the community.

Meydan Group operates one of Dubai’s most integrated sport and hospitality ecosystems: The Meydan Hotel (285-room five-star trackside hotel at the racecourse), Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa (authentic Arabian desert luxury), The Track Meydan Golf (9-hole floodlit championship course), QUBE Sports Lounge, Meydan Tennis Academy, Dubai Equestrian Club, Emirates Equestrian Centre, and Deep Dive Dubai — the world’s deepest swimming pool, containing 3.7 million gallons of water, located in MBR City.

Meydan’s active and upcoming developments include District One West (4–7 bedroom villas and island mansions, AED 13M–60M+, direct lagoon access), District One West 2 (launched Q1 2024 — Garden Villas, Lagoon Villas, Island Villas), Horizon by Meydan (39M sq. ft. masterplan in Bukadra, 2km canal, 4km boardwalk, 72,000 future residents), and future phases of Meydan One. The Meydan Hotel renovation is also expected to complete in 2025.

Meydan, Emaar, and Nakheel are all government-backed Dubai master developers, but each occupies a distinct domain. Emaar built Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina, commanding the city-centre premium segment. Nakheel created Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Islands, dominating waterfront real estate. Meydan’s unique positioning combines sport and lifestyle (Dubai World Cup, racecourse, golf) with ultra-luxury inland living (District One’s Crystal Lagoon, MBR City). Meydan’s properties are among the most exclusive in Dubai — District One villas are 4km from Downtown but feel like a private resort, giving the community a standout value proposition.