What started as shopping for a holiday resulted in a brand-new home. After moving to Dubai in pursuit of new experiences and opportunities, Russian expat Stacey Bukhantseva is now ‘officially home’
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 30 July 2026: Continuing to turn everyday shopping into life-changing moments, the citywide Win Your Home in Dubai initiative has announced its sixth winner. Stacey Bukhantseva, originally from Russia and a long-time Dubai resident, has become the latest recipient of a brand-new studio apartment, marking the first home she has ever owned.
After spending 18 years in the United States, she moved to Dubai in 2013 and has proudly called it home ever since. Moving to Dubai has given her far more than she expected, from an exceptional quality of life and career opportunities to a sense of safety and belonging. The warmth and hospitality of locals and residents are also among the reasons she continues to love living in the city. A passionate supporter of the city’s year-round calendar of events and initiatives, she regularly attends and participates in activities across Dubai, but this is the first time she has ever entered a raffle draw.
Her winning entry came from a shopping trip to the Mall of the Emirates in early June, before heading off for a holiday. A month later, she received an unexpected call while at work informing her that she had won. Thinking it was too good to be true, she called the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) office directly to verify the news, which they did, but Stacey insisted on personally visiting the office to submit her identification documents, wanting to see for herself that everything was real.
Her mother is currently in Dubai on holiday, and she feels happy and blessed to share this special and significant moment with her. Reflecting on the win, she became emotional as she described what owning her first home means: “I am lost for words. I never imagined that a shopping trip could lead to owning a home. I honestly thought the call wasn’t real and had to verify it myself because it felt impossible”.
“You come to Dubai with hopes and dreams, hoping to build something meaningful, and somehow this city continues to surprise you. In a way, what I was set to do and achieve is becoming real. This is the first home I have ever owned, and it means more than words can express. I feel incredibly grateful to be part of something so special in a city that I truly admire”, she added.
The Win Your Home in Dubai initiative, jointly led by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), a part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and Dubai Chambers, offers shoppers the opportunity to win one of 12 Binghatti Developers residential units across Dubai.
The next weekly draws will take place on 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 August, at Dubai Festival City Mall from 5 PM to 7 PM. Each weekly draw will award one studio apartment, while the final draw on 30 August will award the grand prize of a two-bedroom apartment.
Running until 30 August 2026, Win Your Home in Dubai continues to give residents and visitors more reasons to shop and explore Dubai’s retail destinations this summer. Eligible residents and visitors aged 18 and above can participate by spending AED 500 at over 1,000 brands across more than 3,500 retail outlets in Dubai. To enter, they can scan the QR code on official campaign materials at participating outlets and upload their receipts. Every entry remains in the draw throughout the campaign period. Moreover, each entry also automatically qualifies for a weekly draw to win one of four luxury staycations in Dubai.
For more information, visit WinYourHomeInDubai.com or follow @DubaiFestivals on Instagram.
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