A Real Madrid theme park is in the works in Abu Dhabi

Football crazy

Abu Dhabi's International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) has reportedly secured the naming rights to Real Madrid's 'Santiago Bernabeu' stadium, part of a wider deal which will see a theme park in the UAE capital

Following the news of the club's imminent arrival in Dubai for a friendly match and that the Madrid stadium will be renamed 'Abu Dhabi Santiago Bernabeu' as part of a deal with IPIC, which is owned by the Abu Dhabi royal family, it has been reported that the company will also launch a theme park in the club's name next year.

The Spanish football club had previously signed a deal with the Ras Al Khaimah government and the RAK Marjan Island Football Investment Fund to build a 50-hectare themed resort on the man-made island. It had been scheduled for completion in January 2015, but the plans were shelved last year and the RAK authorities are negotiating with new partners for the project, looking like it's made way for the UAE capital to take the lead.

Abu Dhabi's Real Madrid theme park in in the works