Your complete guide to having the One Direction experience of a lifetime in Dubai

Everything you need to know about getting to the One Direction concert and back, and having the best 1D day possible.

One Direction, whose concert in Dubai on April 4 is sure to be the biggest live music event the region has ever seen. Danny Moloshok/Reuters

If there was ever any doubt that One Direction’s Middle Eastern debut would be the biggest gig this region has ever seen, the fact that the more than 32,000 tickets sold out in record time confirmed just how huge it was going to be.

Here is The National's guide to everything you need to know about getting there and back, and having the best 1D day you possibly can.

Please note: Some details are yet to be finalised and all information is subject to change. This story will updated as fresh information becomes available, so keep checking back for the latest news and advice.

Essential info

What: One Direction live in concert

Where: The Sevens Stadium, Dubai

When: Saturday April 4, 2015

Capacity: 32,500

Tickets: Sold out – no more will be released

Doors open: 4pm

Show begins: Approximately 8pm

Show ends: Expected to be before 10pm

Support act: None

Questions: For any event-related enquiries, contact Done Events at [e-mail], or visit www.doneevents.com

The venue

While it would be difficult to argue that Dubai’s Sevens Stadium as an ideal concert venue – it is, after all, custom-made to host the annual Dubai Rugby Sevens competition – 2013’s Justin Bieber gig proved it can do a good job of hosting a show.

More to the point, it may still be the only venue in the country capable of hosting a concert of this magnitude, with the attendance set to outstrip even The Rolling Stones gig at the du Arena on Yas Island last year, even after extra efforts were made to increase the capacity of that record-breaking event.

Ticket collection

To save time, queues, and frustration, concertgoers are advised to collect their tickets in advance, rather than from the temporary box office at the venue.

Time Out Tickets customers: Advance collection is open now from the Time Out Tickets outlet at the rear side of Building 14, Dubai Media City.

Only the person who made the purchase can collect the tickets. The buyer must present their online order confirmation in addition to one of these three forms of identification: an Emirates ID card, a driver’s licence or a passport.

Customers who chose at the time of purchase to collect tickets from the venue box office can also collect their tickets in advance, and are encouraged to do so to avoid long queues on the day of the concert. If this is not possible, the venue box office will be open from noon on April 4.

For customers who requested secure delivery of their tickets, the deliveries are underway. However certain locations, such as Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Khalifa City, Al Raha, Al Reef and Madinat Zayed are “Out of Delivery Areas”. Contact [e-mail] to arrange an alternative method of collection.

Any tickets that are undelivered will be available for collection from the venue box office on the day of the event.

Time Out Tickets customers can email [e-mail] if they have any other questions or concerns.

Virgin Megastores customers: Tickets are only available to collect in stores until Wednesday, March 25 from either The Dubai Mall or Yas Mall.

If tickets were bought in person at a Virgin Megastore in Dubai, or online and the “Dubai store” collection option was selected, they will be available for collection from the Virgin Megastore at The Dubai Mall.

If the tickets were bought in person at any Virgin Megastore in Abu Dhabi, or online and the “Abu Dhabi store” collection option was selected, they will be available for collection at Virgin Megastore, Yas Mall.

For online customers, only the person who made the purchase can collect the tickets. The buyer must present their online order confirmation and one of these three forms of identification: an Emirates ID card, a driver’s licence or a passport.

In-store customers must bring the original stamped store receipt or stamped store E-tickets, in addition to an Emirates ID or a copy of the passport belonging to the person who bought the tickets. Copies of tickets or store receipts will not be accepted.

Virgin Tickets customers can email [e-mail] for more information.

Getting there and back

Promoters Done recommend travelling to the concert by car or taxi, and encourage car pooling to ease congestion.

There will be no shuttle buses running to or from the venue.

Taxi

The Sevens Stadium is about 35km from Downtown Dubai, and you can expect an RTA taxi to cost approximately Dh70 for the journey, which should take between 30 and 40 minutes without excessive traffic.

The largest taxis available for pre-booking are seven-seaters, so get into the spirit and join with friends to split the journey and the cost.

Due to the number of people travelling to the event, you can expect a wait for taxis, so make your booking well in advance. However, as the event is on a Saturday – rather than the peak-time Thursday and Friday evenings – this should help mitigate typical peak-hour problems a little.

RTA taxis can be booked via the reservations centre on 04 208 0808.

If you are travelling from Abu Dhabi, expect the 150km journey to take at least 90 minutes, and cost more than Dh200 in a taxi. Abu Dhabi taxis can be booked on 600 53 53 53.

For the return journey, promoters Done have promised there will be “plenty” of taxis available after the show.

However, from personal experience of previous events at the venue, you should expect a lengthy (but well-organised) wait as you queue for taxis.

Driving

There are two novel things that are being done to make life more pleasant for those driving to the concert.

First, promoters say RTA and/or Dubai Police will be launching a smartphone app listing real-time traffic information for drivers, as well as general event updates.

Second, recognising the youth-centric nature of the event, an “adult crèche” will be set up in the venue’s car park to occupy parents waiting outside for children who are at the concert.

For parents who will be dropping off their children and returning to the venue to collect them, there will be clearly signposted pickup points.

Parking

Adequate parking facilities have been promised, with two access roads to the car parks. Organisers recommend approaching the venue from the west via the Jebel Ali Lahbab Road (E77), which is likely to be less congested than the southward approach, the Al Ain Road (E66) from Dubai.

Promoters Done said: “We are working closely with the Police and the RTA to develop a traffic management plan, including main road-flow plans.”

Car-pooling

Car-pooling is encouraged by the promoters, and signed meetup points will be created outside the venue. More information will be given to gig-goers when they collect their tickets – another reason to do so in advance.

Done said: “We are actively encouraging car pooling to and from the event. This is being communicated to all ticket holders when they collect tickets. There will be well signposted meeting points both inside and outside the concert area.”

Other transport options

To beat the wait for taxis, you can book in advance with app-based transportation company Uber. You can expect a journey from the Burj Khalifa to The Sevens Stadium to cost about Dh80 – however demand is likely to be high so early booking would be wise. Visit www.uber.com or download the app to your smartphone.

Luxury car service Careem offers a similar service, with a business-car booking from Burj Khalifa costing between Dh119 and Dh139. Visit www.careem.com for more details.

If you have a lot of friends who are going, why not hire a bus for the evening? Prime Limousine offers a range of vehicles, starting from nine-seaters. Call 055 302 2323 for a quote or visit www.primelimousine.com.

Food and drink

While the specific outlets are yet to be revealed, we have been promised a range of food stalls, “from mall brands to independent street food”.

Based on personal experience of previous events at the venue, you can expect a pleasant dining area with picnic benches, as well as a grassy area ideal for a picnic. Early arrivers are advised to eat before things get busy.

There will also be a bar area for those over 21 years of age.

Getting a good view

Ticket sales have been split into four categories – platinum, gold, silver and bronze – so how well you will be able to see the boys inevitably depends on your ticket.

Moreover, the event will be very busy, so to make the most of your price band you should aim to arrive before the 4pm doors-open time, leaving precious time to scout out a good spot before most other gig-goers arrive (you will, of course, have to endure a four-hour wait for your troubles).

Simple maths dictate that with a capacity of 32,500, the bulk of the audience won’t be very close to the stage and will be watching the show on the big screens, regardless of where they are standing. So if you’re not a manic 1D fan, or you are lacking a Diamond-grade ticket, you will do well to plan your vantage point around a clear view of the nearest screen, rather than the stage. Typically, heading to the far edges of a venue allows you to get closer to the screens than many who have been waiting longer in the middle of the pitch.

Sitting versus standing

All standing tickets (platinum, silver and gold) also grant access to the venue’s North Grandstand, an unreserved, shaded seating area at the edge of the pitch. Ideal for families or young children, seats here are likely to fill up quickly, so arrive early to secure your place. However for the best views, it will be essential to earn your 1D stripes and stand among the masses.

Bronze-seating tickets only allow access to the elevated seating area at the rear of the venue. If you’ve got one of these, you will not be allowed onto the pitch.

Crowd management

With so many fanatical 1D fans eager to have the experience of a lifetime, crowd congestion is likely. Promoters Done offer the following advice: “To ensure all fans enjoy this record-breaking show we urge fans to avoid pushing, running and throwing loose items at anyone while at the event.

“We want all fans to enjoy the show, and will publish and share more information about the venue set up and safety arrangements, in particular for the young and not-so-tall audience members, closer to the event.”

Advance warning – selfie sticks are allowed at the gig, so watch for flailing poles in your midst.

Staying in Dubai

If you’re flying in for the concert, you’ll need somewhere to stay in Dubai for the night.

The closest option to the concert is the Abidos Hotel Apartment in Dubailand, which is about 20km from the venue. A one-bedroom apartment for the night of the gig starts at Dh468 on www.booking.com.

Also conveniently located outside the congestion of the city, and on the way to the venue, is Meydan Dubai, which is advertising rooms on April 4 from Dh1,193 on www.booking.com.

If you’re planning to do some sightseeing while in town, but still gain easy access to the concert, you’re advised to stay at one of the many hotels in Downtown Dubai.

Among the best known is the conveniently located The Address Downtown, just seconds from the motorway and next door to The Dubai Mall. Rooms on April 4 start at Dh2,059 on www.booking.com.

Tips for having the best 1D concert ever

Stay hydrated: By early April, afternoon temperatures are expected to reach the low 30s. If you're planning on queuing up before the doors open at 4pm, bring plenty of water for the wait, and as soon as you enter the venue, be sure to stock up with enough liquids to last you the six hours until the concert is over. It is not normally permitted to bring liquids inside concert venues.

Dress sensibly: Unless you have a seating ticket, you could be on your feet for six hours or more, so comfy trainers are highly recommended over high heels or any other concessions to fashion. If you are arriving early, headgear is also highly recommended to shield yourself from the summer sun.

Eat before you arrive: If you are planning on grabbing a good spot upon arrival and holding it until the concert's end, you won't have a chance to eat. Make sure you have a hearty meal before heading in, or when you first arrive at the venue, or you may not go the distance.

Leave early: While we would never recommend walking out of a euphoric, life-changing gig before the end just to get a little more sleep, if an early bedtime is absolutely essential, the tried-and-tested trick of heading for the exit midway through the encore is more than likely to cut your journey time in half.

Don't check the setlist: It's almost certain the boys will be performing a near identical setlist each night of the On the Road Again Tour, and there's nothing worse than sucking all the surprise out of an evening by knowing exactly what tune is coming up next. Resist the temptation to look at it online.

Above all, be patient: However well organised the gig is, it's a record-breaking, history-making event without any purpose-built infrastructure in place. So be prepared for a lengthy wait for transport on the way back and, who knows, you might be pleasantly surprised.