From the roar of Formula 1 at Lusail International Circuit to international football, contemporary art, live entertainment and food festivals, the programme offers visitors more than a single reason to travel. It creates opportunities to build an itinerary around the events that interest them and discover more of Qatar along the way.
Together, these experiences form A World of Events in Qatar: a year-round programme that connects major international occasions with the country’s museums, galleries, dining scene, coastline and desert landscapes.
International events across sport and culture
Formula 1 will return to Lusail International Circuit, while the FIFA U-17 World Cup will bring international football to Qatar. Major tennis and padel championships will also attract leading athletes and spectators.
The cultural programme will include Art Basel Qatar, alongside exhibitions, concerts, festivals, entertainment and food experiences.
Qatar’s compact geography makes it possible to combine several activities in one visit. Visitors attending a sporting event can explore Doha’s museums and galleries, experience its dining scene or travel into the desert.
As Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, Chief Executive Officer of Visit Qatar, explains: “Qatar’s strength as a leading tourism destination lies not only in the diversity of experiences it offers, but in its exceptional ability to bring together world-class events, strategic partnerships and seamless experiences.”
Events across Qatar
The calendar will extend beyond Doha, encouraging visitors to explore different regions of the country.
For the first time, the Qatar International Food Festival will take place in Lusail City. In the north, Al Shamal will draw on its maritime heritage, while Brouq will showcase a distinctive natural landscape. Doha Outdoors will highlight outdoor activities during the cooler months.
Although Doha remains the main entry point for many visitors, the calendar provides additional reasons to explore the city, coastline and desert as part of one itinerary.
Qatar’s winter season
Winter is a particularly active period in Qatar’s events calendar. With more moderate temperatures, visitors can enjoy beaches, desert camps, terraces, sporting venues and open-air entertainment.
The programme brings together international sport, live entertainment, family activities, cultural events and outdoor experiences. Visitors may attend a championship, explore cultural institutions, join a desert excursion or enjoy a food festival during the same stay.
A central platform for event information
Qatar Calendar brings together the country’s events across Visit Qatar’s digital platforms, helping visitors plan their itineraries before travelling.
The Visit Qatar app surpassed 230,000 users in 2026, compared with approximately 105,000 in 2025. A new Widget, initially available to Apple users, provides direct access to upcoming events without opening the full application.
A unified digital ticketing platform is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, simplifying event discovery and ticket access.
With more than 560 events scheduled for 2026/2027, A World of Events in Qatar presents a year-round programme of sport, culture, entertainment, food and outdoor experiences.
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