Wednesday 04 / February / 2026
MUSCAT: There are few things that bring Muscat together quite like live sport.
Imagine on one screen, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup unfolding across India and Sri Lanka, with Oman making their fourth appearance on the world stage — a milestone that continues to resonate among Asian Associate nations. On another, European football rolls on relentlessly, from tense battles in top-flight leagues in England and Spain to the theatre of Champions League nights. Add to that the uncertainty hanging over the always-charged India–Pakistan fixture, now in limbo following Pakistan’s decision to boycott the February 15 T20 World Cup game, and the sporting conversation feels louder than ever.
Yet while the games stretch across continents, the experience of watching them has always been deeply local. Sport here is not consumed in isolation; it is debated, celebrated and dissected together. That shared habit is now finding a new home in the heart of the city, as Ruwi — once Muscat’s commercial heartbeat — reasserts itself as a place to gather, linger and reconnect.
It is within this backdrop of packed sporting calendars and renewed urban energy that Hive has entered the scene, offering a setting shaped less by spectacle and more by the simple idea of watching the world play — together.
Ruwi’s relationship with sport has always been organic. Long before high-definition screens and curated match nights, cafés, shops and informal meeting spots buzzed with conversations about big games and big moments. In recent years, as the city expanded outward, that sense of shared viewing scattered. Now, with major tournaments once again dominating evenings and weekends, the appetite for a central, comfortable place to watch has returned.
Hive responds to that need without trying too hard to define it. Set within Sheraton Oman, the venue blends a contemporary indoor lounge with an open-air terrace overlooking the pool. Inside, large screens anchor the space, ensuring live sport remains the focal point, whether it is a T20 World Cup clash that stretches late into the night or a Champions League fixture decided by a single moment of brilliance.
Outside, additional screens keep the action flowing, allowing conversations to continue without losing sight of the game. As evening settles in, the mood shifts naturally. Warm lighting, relaxed seating and the gentle rhythm of the terrace create an atmosphere that encourages fans to stay - not just for the result, but for everything that comes with it. Sheesha, crafted beverages and shareable bar bites add to the sense that this is not a rush-in, rush-out venue, but a place where time bends around the match.
That balance feels particularly relevant as Oman return to the T20 World Cup for the fourth time as the tournament begins on February 7. Oman, coached by Duleep Mendis, will play their opener against Zimbabwe on February 9 and will then take on hosts Sri Lanka (Feb 12), Ireland (Feb 14) and Australia (Feb 20) in their group stage games.
For local fans, these tournaments are about far more than the scoreboard. They represent progress, pride and the rare chance to see familiar names compete against global heavyweights. Watching those moments unfold collectively amplifies their meaning, turning individual interest into a shared emotional experience.
Cricket may be the immediate draw, but football ensures continuity. European leagues bring with them a dependable rhythm -weekend evenings, late-night kick-offs and midweek drama. The Premier League’s relentless pace, La Liga’s tactical battles and the Champions League’s tension guarantee that there is always something unfolding, always another reason to gather.
Hive’s appeal lies in recognising that diversity. Muscat’s sporting audience is as international as the city itself, and allegiances shift from table to table.
One group debates a controversial LBW decision, another argues over VAR, while a third simply enjoys the atmosphere. The space allows all of it to coexist without demanding a single identity.
“Hive reflects the evolving lifestyle of Muscat - social, connected, and experience-led,” says Rejin Thomas, Hotel Manager at Sheraton Oman. “It’s a place to unwind, cheer for your favourite team, enjoy good food and drinks, and feel part of a community. We’re proud to open Hive as a space that brings people together, day after day.”
That idea of continuity, day after day, is central to both Hive and Ruwi’s wider revival. Once the city’s commercial core, Ruwi is gradually reclaiming its role as a social meeting point. Its central location, accessibility and layered character make it uniquely suited to that transition.
Hive adds to this momentum, offering a reason to return not just for special occasions, but for everyday moments shaped by sport.
The focus remains on comfort, clarity and connection - clear sightlines, good sound, easy conversation. It mirrors how fans here actually want to watch: engaged, social and unpretentious.
As the T20 World Cup progresses, as football seasons edge toward their decisive phases, and as debates continue over fixtures that may or may not happen, spaces like this take on added relevance. They become neutral ground - where rivalries play out verbally rather than digitally, where reactions are shared in real time, and where the city briefly moves in sync with the global sporting clock.
Hive is less about redefining sports viewing and more about restoring something familiar. It is a reminder that sport’s greatest moments are rarely experienced alone. They are felt collectively - in cheers, groans and conversations that spill long after the final whistle. And in Ruwi, once again, Muscat has a place where that collective experience feels right at home.
