His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, met Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche AG, during a visit to the Icons of Porsche Festival Dubai 2024 at the Dubai Design District (d3). The high-profile meeting underscored Dubai's growing stature as a global centre for luxury automotive innovation.
Also present at the meeting were Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and Manfred Bräunl, CEO of Porsche Middle East and Africa.
Sheikh Mansoor toured the festival grounds, viewing an exhibition of Porsche's innovative technologies, advanced automotive solutions, vintage models, high-performance sports cars, and visionary concept vehicles. The visit affirmed Dubai's commitment to fostering excellence and innovation in the automotive industry.
Icons of Porsche Festival Dubai 2024: A Record-Breaking Fourth Edition
The Icons of Porsche Festival returned to The Slab at the Dubai Design District for its fourth edition on 23–24 November 2024, drawing over 28,000 visitors across two days — a new attendance record for the event. What began as one of the region's premier Porsche gatherings has grown into one of the most significant automotive festivals in the world, attracting enthusiasts from across the globe.
Oliver Blume, making his second visit to the Icons of Porsche, addressed the crowd on stage — thanking attendees for their passion and sense of community around the Porsche brand.
Highlights: 911 GT3 RS MR World Premiere and Automotive Icons
The 2024 festival featured the world premiere of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS MR, developed by Manthey Racing as the pinnacle of Porsche's track-focused engineering. The display spanned the brand's entire heritage — from the vintage Porsche 356 and 928, to the classic 930 and 944, through to the modern 911, 718, Carrera GT, and 918 Spyder.
Reigning 2024 Formula E World Champion Pascal Wehrlein was among the notable personalities who joined the celebration.
Beyond cars, the festival offered art and culture with interactive installations and live performances, culinary experiences from local and international chefs, and family-friendly activities including workshops and kids' play areas.
Dubai's Role as a Global Automotive Hub
Dubai's hosting of high-profile events like the Icons of Porsche Festival reinforces its position as one of the world's leading cities for luxury, technology, and international collaboration. The meeting between Sheikh Mansoor and the Porsche CEO reflects the emirate's strategic commitment to attracting premier global brands and fostering meaningful partnerships in the automotive sector.
