A taste of what to expect when Qatar hosts the world’s biggest sporting event in 2022
Interactive fan zones await visitors at airport, temperature-controlled open air stadium, sports venues & cultural hotspots
Visitors to Qatar will never have to miss a moment of the World Cup. With a host of immersive and interactive fan zones across the country, the host for the 2022 tournament is showing off its passion for the sport while giving all a peek of what to expect at the 22nd edition of the most-watched sporting event.
Starting from their arrival at the airport and throughout their stay, the country’s variety of fan zones promise visitors an immersive football experience at different venues across Qatar. To celebrate the world’s biggest sporting event, Hamad International Airport (HIA), Khalifa International Stadium, Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, Katara Cultural Village, as well as malls and hotels have been transformed into fan zones to transfer the atmosphere of the tournament in Russia to people in Qatar.
Right up to the final day of the FIFA World Cup™, Qatar will be abuzz with activities to accompany the live screenings such as football freestylers, football jugglers and impromptu football matches. For a more interactive take on the football frenzy, dies hard fans can take a shot at Robot Goalie, foosball games, virtual football and much more.
Rashed AlQuerese, Chief Marketing & Promotion Officer at Qatar Tourism Authority, commented: “We are very pleased to have so many organisations across Qatar host fan zones for this tournament; it is truly an example of the cross-sector collaboration required for delivering impactful tourism products and events.” He added: “The World Cup’s overlap with the annual Qatar Summer Festival this year gives us the perfect opportunity to build our joint capabilities ahead of Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2022.”
Airport Fan Zone
In addition to restyling the iconic Lamp Bear area of Hamad International Airport (HIA) to resemble a football pitch, all matches will be broadcast live at three areas close to the boarding gates. Qatar’s award-winning airport and transit hub, fan zone areas are designed to resemble a living room, a stadium and a majlis (a traditional Qatari seating area for receiving guests) to ensure that passengers feel fully immersed in the viewing experience and get a taste of what to expect when Qatar hosts the world’s biggest sporting event in 2022.
Official 2018 FIFA World Cup™ memorabilia will also be on sale at QDF’s stores throughout the airport and shoppers will have the opportunity to take selfies alongside the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ mascot.
This initiative marks HIA’s latest steps on the country’s journey towards the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™. To help prepare Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, HIA is set to increase its passenger capacity from 30 million passengers per year to a target of more than 50 million per year. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, HIA is expected to receive approximately 96,000 passengers per day.
Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena
Once in Doha, visitors can check out the fan zone at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena which most famously played host to the World Men’s Handball Championship in 2015. In addition to its enticing free entry, the zone will feature live entertainment and concerts between games, a designated zone for children and families and more than 40 food carts offering distinctly local flavours.
Khalifa International Stadium
Fans can also check out the iconic 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar venue Khalifa International Stadium.
Following extensive redevelopment, the 40,000-seat stadium reopened in May last year when it hosted the 2017 Emir Cup final. The stadium now features innovative cooling technology for the benefit of players and fans and a world-class LED lighting system, amongst other innovations. Khalifa International Stadium has a rich hosting history, having previously welcomed events including the Asian Games, Gulf Cup and AFC Asian Cup, among other events. In 2019, the stadium will host the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships.
Katara Cultural Village
For a more local take on football fandom, visitors can head to Katara where they can enjoy a drive-in viewing experience. The Katara Fan Zone offers fans an opportunity to watch the matches from the comfort of a personal vehicle and with plenty of street food options delivered straight to your window.
Hotels, Malls & Summer Entertainment City
Whether at malls or hotels visitors are sure to find a place to kick back and watch a game. Families with young tots can head to Summer Entertainment City which boasts 1,000 m2 of games dedicated to celebrating football.
About Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA):
Long-recognised by the country’s leadership as an avenue to further Qatar’s development, tourism has been designated a priority sector by the government. Qatar Tourism Authority’s mission is to firmly establish Qatar on the global map as a world-class tourism destination with deep cultural roots. In 2014, QTA launched the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy (QNTSS), which seeks to diversify the country’s tourism offering and increase the sector’s contribution to Qatar’s economy by 2030.
QTA works in partnership with public and private stakeholders to achieve this mission by planning, regulating and promoting a sustainable and diverse tourism industry.
As part of its planning efforts, QTA identifies types of tourism products and services that will contribute to the Qatar tourism experience, and works to attract investment for their development.
Regulation efforts involve ensuring tourism sector establishments operate at the highest standards while perpetuating Qatar’s culture.
QTA promotes Qatar as a destination around the world, through its destination branding, international representation and participation at trade shows, and by developing a rich calendar of festivals and events. With a growing international presence, QTA’s representative offices in London, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Singapore, Riyadh, Istanbul and New York support QTA’s promotion efforts.
Since launching QNTSS, Qatar has welcomed over 9 million visitors, and achieved an average annual growth in arrivals of 11.5% between 2010-2015. The economic impact of the tourism sector in Qatar is becoming increasingly visible with 2015 estimates showing a total impact on Qatar’s total GDP of 4.3%.