If you’ve been keeping half an eye on the Gulf, you’ll know the region never sits still. One week it’s heritage projects, the next it’s world-class concerts or sports spectacles. These latest GCC updates show exactly that mix of tradition, entertainment, and ambition, all rolled into one. Truth be told, it’s hard not to feel the energy buzzing through the region. Let’s take a closer look.
5 GCC Updates For You
1. OMRAN’s Cultural Push In Oman
Oman isn’t about to let its traditions gather dust on a museum shelf. The OMRAN Group has teamed up with Dar Al Herfya to launch a cultural crafts hub in Muttrah. Imagine handcrafted textiles, pottery, and jewellery, all displayed in a sleek new outlet that also houses an Omani café.
This isn’t just about selling trinkets to tourists. The hub comes with training programmes for artisans and support from the SMEs Authority, creating opportunities for small businesses, especially women-led ventures. The goal? To back 50–75 artisans each year while giving visitors a hands-on taste of Omani artistry. It’s heritage with a commercial edge, and honestly, a smart move to keep traditions alive in a fast-modernising market.
2. John Mayer Hits The Right Note In Bahrain
Bahrain is about to get a dose of soulful nostalgia. On 20 January 2026, John Mayer will bring his Solo Tour to Exhibition World Bahrain. If you’ve ever found yourself humming Gravity at 2 am, this is your moment.
Expect timeless hits, those famous guitar solos, and Mayer’s easy stage charisma. Tickets will soon go live on Platinumlist, and you know how quickly they’ll vanish. To be fair, Bahrain’s live music calendar hasn’t seen many gigs on this scale, so this one’s bound to pull in fans from across the region.
3. FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 – Tickets Go Live
Football fever is about to grip Qatar once again. Ticket sales for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 open today at 3 pm Doha time, starting at just QR25. Affordable, right? The packages include three categories plus a “Follow My Team” option for the diehards who want every group-stage match.
Tickets are capped at six per person and, in practice, all digital, so no queuing for paper slips. Accessibility has been baked in, with seating for disabled fans. Beyond the matches, expect cultural performances and entertainment zones to make the tournament more festival than fixture list. For football lovers, this is a golden chance to see the Arab world’s finest players battle it out.
4. Mary Poppins Lands In Abu Dhabi
Practically perfect in every way? That’s the promise as Mary Poppins takes over Etihad Arena from 25 March to 15 April 2026. The beloved West End musical, complete with magical nanny antics, tap-dancing chimney sweeps, and a dose of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, is making its UAE debut.
Presented by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, tickets go on pre-sale from 3 October, with general sales from 6 October. Prices haven’t been revealed yet, but let’s face it, families across the Emirates are already pencilling the dates into their diaries. If ever there was a show guaranteed to charm both kids and adults, it’s this one.
Also Read: Self-Driving Test Permits In Dubai To Hajj 2026 Preparations; 5 GCC Updates For You
5. Emirates Dubai 7s Turns Up the Volume
Dubai never does things by halves, and the Emirates Dubai 7s is proof. Back this November, the festival is pairing world-class rugby with a heavyweight music lineup. Headliners include Shaggy, Sean Paul, Tinie Tempah, and UK garage legend DJ EZ. And there’s still one more big name to come.
If past years are anything to go by—think Kylie Minogue and Craig David—this isn’t just about the sport. It’s a mashup of athletic grit and festival energy. Families, partygoers, and sports fans will all find their groove here. Truth be told, there aren’t many weekends in Dubai that pack in this much action.
That’s the Gulf in 2025 and beyond, ambitious, eclectic, and determined to stay on the global stage. Keep an eye on these stories because, truth be told, the next round of GCC updates won’t be far behind.
Cover Image Courtesy: Mary Poppins, John Mayer/FB
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