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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on March 7, 2025
The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the Official Global Hotels Partner of Chelsea Football Club, is bringing The Famous CFC to Bangkok, Thailand, following the remarkable success of its Singapore edition. This global fan engagement event, scheduled for April 25-26, 2025, will be hosted at Ascott Embassy Sathorn Bangkok and Somerset Rama 9 Bangkok, offering Chelsea supporters and Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) members an unparalleled experience.
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola, a two-time Chelsea Player of the Year, will headline the event. Zola, who played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s success from 1996 to 2003, was voted the club’s greatest-ever player in 2003. His visit to Bangkok marks Chelsea’s much-anticipated return to the city since 2017.
During The Famous CFC in Singapore in late 2024, Zola was warmly received by fans from across the region. Known for both his footballing excellence and his approachable nature, Zola’s presence in Bangkok is expected to draw an enthusiastic response from Chelsea’s passionate fanbase.
The Bangkok edition will include a lineup of activities such as a watch party for Chelsea’s match against Everton on April 26 and an exclusive meet-and-greet with Zola. The Famous CFC aims to deepen Chelsea’s bond with supporters worldwide, having already engaged fans in Mumbai, Los Angeles, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur since its launch in 2023.
Ascott Embassy Sathorn, Bangkok
Ascott’s Commitment to Chelsea Fans
Tan Bee Leng, Chief Commercial Officer of Ascott, expressed excitement about bringing the fan experience to Bangkok after the success in Singapore. Ascott Star Rewards members will gain exclusive access to meet Zola, hear stories from his career, and experience Chelsea’s legacy up close. The event promises VIP hospitality, curated stays at Ascott properties, and unforgettable moments for Chelsea supporters.
Somerset Rama 9 Bangkok
Since partnering with Chelsea FC, Ascott has enhanced its hospitality offerings for football fans. ASR members enjoy match-and-stay packages, access to Chelsea soccer school training sessions, and VIP entry to Ascott’s private hospitality suite at Stamford Bridge. Additionally, the rebranding of Stamford Bridge Hotel London under Ascott’s ‘lyf’ brand by late 2025 is set to redefine the fan experience.
Exciting Opportunities for ASR Members
As part of The Famous CFC Bangkok, Ascott is launching an exclusive campaign for ASR members. Those who book and stay with Ascott stand a chance to win an evening with Gianfranco Zola, including access to the Ascott x Chelsea pre-match party and a special appearance by Zola.
Two exclusive experience packages are available for ASR members:
Intimate Fan Experience with Gianfranco Zola – Includes access to the Ascott x Chelsea pre-match party and a limited-edition Ascott x Chelsea merchandise pack.
Ultimate Weekend with Gianfranco Zola – Includes all the benefits of the first package plus an exclusive VIP meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with Zola.
For ticket details and event updates, visit Ascott’s official website.
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Published on July 9, 2026
Argentina booked their place in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after producing a remarkable comeback to defeat Egypt 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 16 clash at Atlanta Stadium.
For nearly 80 minutes, Egypt looked set to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Goals from Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico gave the Pharaohs a commanding 2-0 lead, while goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir delivered an outstanding performance, including saving a first-half penalty from Lionel Messi. The save placed him among only three goalkeepers this century to stop two non-shootout penalties in a single FIFA World Cup tournament.
However, the defending champions staged an incredible turnaround in the closing stages of the match. Cristian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute to spark Argentina's revival.
Just four minutes later, Messi made amends for his earlier penalty miss by capitalising on a defensive error and firing home his trademark left-footed finish to level the score at 2-2, sending the stadium into celebration.
Argentina then completed one of the greatest comebacks in FIFA World Cup history with a late winner to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory, ending Egypt's inspiring campaign and keeping their title defence alive.
Away from the action on the pitch, India also had a reason to celebrate at the FIFA World Cup.
Johnny (Farhan) Beig and Tony Beig, entrepreneurs from Banihal, Jammu & Kashmir, have earned international recognition after playing a significant role in the successful organisation of the tournament.
The brothers, sons of retired DIG Shakeel Beigh, are the founders of Dioz Group, which secured a US$2.5 million contract through FIFA's official hospitality partner to design, manufacture, and distribute uniforms for more than 50,000 personnel across all 16 FIFA World Cup venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The uniforms were created for stadium ambassadors, hospitality teams, VIP lounge staff, chefs, waiters, event personnel, and flag bearers who participated in the tournament's opening ceremonies.
Their achievement has received international attention, with the Los Angeles Times featuring the Beig brothers and Dioz Group for their contribution to one of the world's biggest sporting events and highlighting the company's growing presence in Los Angeles.
Founded in 2006, Dioz Group has grown into a global enterprise with operations across the United States, Dubai, India, and several other countries. The company employs more than 150 professionals worldwide and manufactures apparel through production facilities in India, Bangladesh, China, Turkey, and the Philippines.
Before securing the FIFA World Cup project, Dioz Group had already delivered apparel and uniform solutions for major international sporting events, including Super Bowl LIX and the 2024 Copa América.
Commenting on the milestone, Johnny Beig said that being entrusted with a project of this scale at the FIFA World Cup reflects the company's commitment to quality, innovation, and operational excellence.
The successful execution of the project further strengthens Dioz Group's position as a leading global provider of sports apparel and event uniforms while marking a proud achievement for India on the world stage.
By Hariharan U
Published on July 8, 2026
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is inviting families to experience an island getaway designed around togetherness, offering a blend of luxury accommodation, immersive experiences, award-winning dining and wellness in one of the Maldives' most picturesque settings.
Located just a 25-minute speedboat ride from Malé International Airport, the resort provides easy access for travellers while offering an idyllic escape where guests of all generations can reconnect through shared experiences.
At the heart of the family offering is the Three-Bedroom Kuda Estate, a private beachfront retreat featuring expansive living spaces, a private infinity pool, dedicated butler service and direct beach access. Designed for multi-generational stays, the estate provides families with the comfort and privacy of a home while enjoying the services of a luxury resort.
Dining forms an integral part of the guest experience at Baraabaru, the resort's signature Indian restaurant inspired by the architecture of traditional Kerala theatres. Recognised among the Maldives' leading dining destinations, the restaurant showcases the creations of acclaimed Chef Hari Nayak, featuring regional Indian dishes including Malvani Fish Curry, Mangalorean-style Prawn Sukka, Chicken Malai Kofta, Bharwan Mirchi, and desserts such as Mango Kulfi and Ghewar.
Beyond its culinary experiences, the resort offers families opportunities to engage with the natural environment through its Coral Reef Plantation programme, where guests work alongside marine experts to help restore coral reefs by building and planting coral frames.
Families can also explore the island's vibrant marine life through snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding and surfing, while younger guests can participate in the Junior Marine Savers Programme, which introduces children to marine conservation through interactive learning experiences focused on coral reefs, sea turtles and ocean ecosystems.
Adding to the seasonal experiences is the Learn With Legends Summer Camp, taking place from 20 July to 31 August, where internationally recognised surfers, marine conservationists and martial arts experts conduct interactive sessions for guests of all ages. Families can also extend their holiday to Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, where football clinics and conservation programmes within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve complement the experience.
While younger guests enjoy outdoor adventures, adults can retreat to ŪRJĀ Naturopathy Island, the resort's dedicated wellness sanctuary located across the lagoon. Accessible by a traditional Maldivian dhoni, the wellness centre offers yoga, hydrotherapy, breathwork, nutrition consultations and therapeutic treatments rooted in naturopathy.
Among its signature therapies is the Maldivian Coconut Ritual, which combines locally sourced botanicals and warm coconut oil to deliver a restorative wellness experience inspired by the islands.
By combining spacious accommodation, family-friendly adventures, wellness experiences and exceptional dining, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa continues to position itself as a preferred destination for families seeking meaningful luxury holidays in the Maldives.
Spain ended Portugal's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory in the Round of 16 at Dallas, bringing Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup journey to a close. The defeat means the Portuguese superstar retires from the tournament without lifting football's most coveted trophy, joining several legendary players who finished their international careers without a FIFA World Cup title.
In another Round of 16 fixture, Belgium delivered an impressive performance to defeat the United States 4-1, securing its place in the quarter-finals.
Beyond the action on the pitch, the FIFA World Cup continues to deliver strong results for the hospitality industry across host cities in the United States.
According to CoStar, hotels recorded robust performance for the week ending June 27, with Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) increasing 9.6% year-on-year, while the Average Daily Rate (ADR) rose 9.2%. Occupancy remained largely stable, recording a marginal increase of 0.4%.
Among all host cities, Miami posted the strongest performance, with ADR rising 51.1% and RevPAR increasing 51.6% compared to the same period last year. San Francisco, which hosted two World Cup matches, reported the second-highest gains, with occupancy up 10.9% and RevPAR climbing 40.7% year-on-year.
CoStar had initially projected a 13% increase in RevPAR across World Cup host cities during the tournament. However, performance between June 11 and June 27 has already surpassed expectations, with host cities recording average RevPAR growth of more than 20%.
The strongest RevPAR growth during the period was recorded in San Francisco (54.5%), followed by Dallas (27.2%) and Kansas City (25%). According to Didio Pequeno, Director of Hospitality Market Analytics at CoStar, San Francisco's stronger performance was also supported by a relatively weaker comparison base from the previous year.
Pequeno noted that the tournament has primarily become a rate-driven event rather than an occupancy-driven one. While occupancy remained relatively flat in most host cities, significant room rate increases helped hotels achieve stronger overall revenue performance.
Through the end of June, San Francisco and Dallas were the only U.S. host cities to register occupancy gains, while other destinations experienced slight declines that were offset by higher room rates. Pequeno attributed this trend to international football fans, who have demonstrated a greater willingness to pay premium accommodation prices, effectively replacing domestic leisure travellers who would typically spend less.
Among the leading markets, Dallas' performance was widely anticipated, as AT&T Stadium is hosting the highest number of matches during the tournament. Meanwhile, Kansas City, the smallest U.S. host city, recorded a 34% increase in ADR during the June 11-27 period.
Looking ahead, hotel performance is expected to remain closely tied to tournament results, with fan travel patterns likely to influence demand across host cities. The FIFA World Cup Final, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, is expected to generate a significant surge in hotel demand across the New York metropolitan area, with industry experts predicting an impact comparable to that of the Super Bowl.
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