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Things, KPop Demon Hunters, Love Is Blind and A Knives Out Mys- with your partner, children, family and friends, it offers more than 50
tery franchise - through first-of-their-kind, immersive story-driven sports across 36 adrenaline-inducing attractions. Suitable for both
experiences. Building on more than 40 previous live experiences experienced and inexperienced athletes, everyone can come together
for Bridgerton, Money Heist, Stranger Things, Squid Game, The Per- under one roof to discover new sparks or rediscover old ones, whether
fect Bite and NETFLIX BITES, Netflix House is the next step, allowing it be trying a climbing wall for the first time or rediscovering your
fans of all ages to become the main characters in their favourite stories. love of dodgeball. A second location is also situated in Belgium in the
Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong’s new multi-purpose sports and city of Gent.
entertainment complex, officially opened its doors back in March. This Elsewhere in Europe, KOEZIO PARKS are the French-based innova-
massive complex is home to the new 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium, a tive family entertainment centres where guests can play, share, connect
10,000-seat arena and 5,000-seat public sports ground and includes and repeat. Large mazes, high ropes courses, game modules, virtual
other amenities like retail and dining areas. The opening was marked reality experiences, escape rooms, action games, arcades, F&B, you
by a ceremony and has since hosted major events like the Hong Kong name it and KOEZIO has it. Above all else, KOEZIO is about fun and
Sevens and Coldplay concerts. With “Pearl of the Orient” as its facade team spirit, visitors will discover surprising, unusual and challenging
design theme, the stadium’s exterior is made up of 27,000 aluminium experiences, adapted to everyone’s desires and where the unique objec-
panels that create a shimmering pearlescent form that changes colour tive is to enjoy a timeless moment with someone.
with the natural light, shifting from cobalt blue to metallic purple and As part of its ongoing global expansion, the world’s first official For-
silver throughout the day. Viewed from the bay, it adds an instantly rec- mula 1® hospitality concept has announced its first ever franchise deal,
ognisable new landmark to Hong Kong’s famous waterfront skyline. with plans to open its debut venue in Spain by 2027. F1® Arcade, the
Kandima Maldives, the bold, active lifestyle resort famous for break- world’s first official Formula 1® racing experience venue, has unveiled
ing the mould in island travel, has once again raised the bar with the the signing of a Master Franchise Agreement with Top Racing Iberia.
launch of PlaySpace - an electrifying, all-ages entertainment destina- The agreement marks a significant milestone in F1® Arcade’s interna-
tion redefining island resort entertainment in the Maldives. Nestled tional expansion, with a debut venue set to open in Madrid, Spain in
in the heart of Kandima, PlaySpace blends retro vibes with modern the next 12 months, followed by Portugal at a later date. The concept
thrills, offering an eclectic mix of activities that cater to thrill-seek- currently operates in London, Birmingham, Boston, Washington D.C.,
ers, families and fun-loving guests alike. From high-energy bowling Las Vegas (which opened doors last month to a 21,000sq ft attraction
sessions and private karaoke nights to immersive VR experiences, inside The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and combines the thrill of
escape room adventures and classic arcade games, this new facility Formula 1 racing with world-class F&B) and Philadelphia. Upcoming
further reinforces Kandima as the Maldives’ go-to active lifestyle confirmed openings include Atlanta and Denver, with more soon to
destination. With vibrant 80s-inspired design and a bold approach be announced. This next phase of global expansion is driven by F1®
to leisure, PlaySpace aligns perfectly with Kandima’s ethos of playful Arcade’s $130M funding round, led by Cheyne Capital, with participa-
luxury. Kandima has just launched Fast Track - the ultimate go-karting tion from Liberty Media Corporation, Permira Credit and OakNorth,
experience in the Maldives. This one-of-a-kind, ultra-stylish e-go-kart which closed in July 2024
circuit redefines island adventure. Stretching 500m along the ocean- Universal Destinations & Experiences, a unit of Comcast NBCUni-
front, it’s the Maldives’ first and only asphalt track of its kind, offering versal, intends to build and operate the company’s first-ever Universal
heart-racing speeds of up to 80km/h and 10 thrilling turns. branded theme park and resort in the UK, located in Bedford, pending
The Sparkx Sportainment Group story began with a spark and planning consent approvals. The proposals include an entertainment
turned into Europe’s largest sports theme park. Sparkx Hasselt in resort complex featuring a world-class theme park with several themed
Belgium is the biggest sportainment park in Europe. Perfect to visit lands, visitor accommodation, as well as a range of retail, dining and

Universal United Kingdom, Bedford, UK

64 Retail & Leisure International November 2025