AKCEL Holding has signed a strategic agreement with XRange Golf Entertainment to develop a network of golf entertainment venues across the UAE in a project valued at more than AED 1 billion.
The Dubai-based conglomerate plans to create technology-driven venues that combine driving ranges, digital golf games, hospitality and social spaces aimed at residents, tourists and corporate groups.
Initial locations are being explored in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, with further sites expected as the project expands.
The developments come as the UAE’s gaming and tourism sectors continue to grow. The country’s gaming market is projected to reach US$857 million by 2032, up from US$550 million in 2025, according to MarkNet Advisors. Tourism is also a major economic driver, with its total contribution to GDP expected to reach AED 267.5 billion in 2025.
The project will be backed by the AKCEL Growth Fund, an investment platform operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre ecosystem. AKCEL Realty, the real estate arm of AKCEL Holding, will lead development.
AKCEL chairman Amit Kaushal said experiential leisure is becoming an increasingly important part of modern real estate projects.
“By combining sport, technology and hospitality, we see an opportunity to create entertainment venues that appeal to residents and international visitors,” he said.
Golf entertainment venues have grown rapidly worldwide in recent years, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom, as technology-led experiences attract younger audiences and corporate groups.
The partnership also includes plans for international expansion, beginning with India and other high-growth tourism markets.
XRange Golf Entertainment was founded by MJ Keyser and Jake Shepherd and focuses on immersive golf venues that combine sport, technology and hospitality.
Keyser said the UAE offered the right environment to launch a new golf entertainment platform, while Shepherd added that the partnership provides the development and investment backing needed to expand globally.
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