Stadium rockers Coldplay will kickstart the Abu Dhabi stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race, the world's premier round the world yacht race, with a spectacular New Year's Eve show.

The seven-time Grammy award winners will help the Emirate welcome in the New Year in style, performing on December 31 at a unique venue adjacent to the purpose-built Volvo Ocean Race Destination Village on the Corniche Breakwater.

 

The concert will mark the start of a two-week celebration of the Volvo Ocean Race, a 39,000 nautical mile marathon featuring six international teams boasting the world's best sailors. Abu Dhabi is the first Middle Eastern city to host a stopover in the race's 38-year history, and their entry in the race, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, is the first Emirati team ever to compete.

 

"We promised a destination hosting like no other when we began our Volvo Ocean Race campaign and the confirmation of Coldplay's New Year's Eve concert signals our intention to live up to that commitment," said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. "With customised travel packages for both the concert and race, we are confident that Abu Dhabi will again raise the bar as a destination of distinction for international sporting events."

 

Coldplay last played in Abu Dhabi in 2009, putting on a show for 20,000 fans. John Lickrish, Managing Director of event organisers FLASH Entertainment, said the group's latest show would make for "one of the most memorable New Year's Eve ever."

 

"In 2009, Coldplay stunned Abu Dhabi with a phenomenal performance that left us in awe," he said. "They are a simply stunning live act with a global fan base of millions, rightfully hailed as one of the biggest bands on the planet. We all know and love their catalogue of hits, but with a hot new album to perform this year, Coldplay live in Abu Dhabi is going to be one of the most memorable New Year's Eve you've ever seen anywhere! We can't wait."

 

Abu Dhabi's Volvo Ocean Race Destination Village will be open to the public from December 31 to January 14.

Full details on the show will be announced shortly, including ticket prices, times and race arena details. Tickets will be available soon at www.thinkflash.ae. Travel packages will be available at www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com.

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For more information on the Volvo Ocean Race please visit: www.volvooceanrace.com

 

For media information on the Volvo Ocean Race, please contact:

Sophie Luther - Communications Manager (travelling)
sophie.luther@volvooceanrace.com

 

Lizzie (Green) Ward - (UK)
Mob +44 7801 185 320
lizzie.ward@volvooceanrace.com

 

Christina Gaither- Press Assistant (Spanish language)
christina.gaither@volvooceanrace.com

 

Volvo Ocean Race HQ (Spain)
Tel +34 966 011 100
press@volvooceanrace.com

 

Media Guide
Download in English (38 MB) or read flip version online

Images
High resolution images can be downloaded from http://images.volvooceanrace.com

 

Tim Stonton - Picture Desk Manager (Spain)
Tel +34 966 011 151 / Mob +34 606 905 497
tim.stonton@volvooceanrace.com

 

Broadcast
For video inquiries, please contact: television@volvooceanrace.com

 

Please visit: www.volvooceanrace.com/broadcastroom

For any assistance please contact: sonia.kannengiesser@synapticdigital.com

 

Radio
For radio accreditation and requests please contact USP Content at: radio@volvooceanrace.com

 

Media Zone
www.volvooceanrace.com/mediazone

 

Editors' Notes: The Volvo Ocean Race

The Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 started on October 29 in Alicante, Spain and will finish in Galway, Ireland in July.
The course of the race includes stopovers in Cape Town (South Africa), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Sanya (China), Auckland (New Zealand), Itajaí (Brazil), Miami (USA), Lisbon (Portugal) and Lorient (France).
The first race first took place 38 years ago (as the Whitbread Round the World Race 1973-74), testing the crews against some of the most ferocious elements that man can encounter.
The 2011-12 race takes the teams over 39,000 nautical miles (45,000 miles or 72,000 kilometres).