Sheikh Hamdan’s Big Win In Estonia To Qatar’s Dates Festival Record-Breaking Sales, 5 GCC Updates

The Gulf never runs out of headlines, and this week is no exception. From travel perks for students to royal wins on the racetrack, here’s 5 GCC Updates you need to know about the region right now.

5 GCC Updates For You

1. Emirates Rolls Out A Sweet Deal For Students

Good news if you’re a student with the travel bug. Emirates has expanded its student fare programme, offering travellers aged 16 to 31 up to 10% off Economy Class fares and 5% off Premium Economy and Business Class tickets when booking with the promo code STUDENT. Alongside the discount, eligible students also get an extra 10kg of baggage allowance (or one additional checked bag) on most routes, though the perk doesn’t apply to journeys to or from the USA and Canada. Travellers will need a valid student ID or an acceptance letter at check-in, plus an Emirates Skywards membership, to unlock the offer. 

2. Dubai Mall Metro Station Gets A Temporary Staircase Amid Expansion Works

تعلمكم هيئة الطرق والمواصلات، بافتتاح مبنى درج مؤقت في محطة مترو برج خليفة / دبي مول، وذلك ضمن أعمال التوسعة الجارية.
يرجى الالتزام بالمسارات الموضحة على الخريطة للوصول إلى المحطة.
كما يتواجد موظفو المحطة لخدمتكم دائماً.
شكراً لتعاونكم. pic.twitter.com/2a4W80C7yz

— RTA (@rta_dubai) July 29, 2026

Commuters heading to Burj Khalifa or Dubai Mall via the metro will notice some changes. As part of the ongoing expansion of the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station, a joint RTA and Emaar project set to boost the station’s capacity by 65%, taking it from 6,700 to 8,500 square metres, a temporary staircase has opened to keep pedestrian movement smooth during construction. The upgrade will eventually bring more escalators, lifts, and separated entry and exit gates, all aimed at easing congestion at one of Dubai’s busiest transit points, especially during peak season and major events. 

Also Read: Commuters Can Now Report Dubai Metro Delays Directly On Google Maps; Here’s How

3. Six Kings Slam Returns To Riyadh Season With Tennis’s Biggest Names

Tennis fans, mark your calendars. Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, has announced that the Six Kings Slam will return to Riyadh Season this October, running from 21 to 24 October. The star-studded lineup includes defending two-time champion Jannik Sinner alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, and debutant Alex de Minaur. The tournament will once again be streamed worldwide on Netflix, making it one of the most-watched exhibition events on the tennis calendar.

4. A Royal Win At The Estonia Endurance Festival

Closer to home, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan, Crown Prince of Dubai, added to his already impressive equestrian record with a win at the 2026 Estonia Endurance Festival. The latest win, a royal win at the Estonia Endurance Festival, in addition to his royal duties, is a testament to the discipline and stamina the sport demands, qualities he has demonstrated time and time again on some of the most demanding endurance circuits in the world.

Also Read: Sheikh Hamdan Shares Stunning Skydiving Photo Over Dubai, Leaving Fans In Awe Again!

5. Qatar’s Native Dates Festival Breaks Sales Record

Qatar’s 11th Local Dates Festival attracts large crowds to Souq Waqif in Doha. With roughly 20,000 visitors and 41 tons of locally grown dates sold within just the first three days, the Khalas variety emerged as the clear favourite, moving 17 tonnes on its own, followed by the Shishi and Khenaizi varieties. Organised by Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality in collaboration with Souq Waqif management, the festival features 114 farms selling fresh dates plus 11 farms offering seasonal fruits, all in support of the country’s growing agricultural sector.

That’s your GCC updates for now, stay tuned as more stories from across the Gulf unfold.

Cover Image Courtesy: Faz3, Souq Waqif/Instagram

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