Qatar has announced a calendar of more than 560 events running through 2027, combining international sport with concerts, festivals, food events and cultural programming. The initiative is intended to offer visitors a broader range of experiences throughout the year, rather than concentrating tourism around a small number of major competitions.
According to Visit Qatar, the country received 5.1 million visitors last year, while a further 2.9 million arrived during the first half of this year. Jassim Al Mahmoud, Visit Qatar’s director of communications, said the record numbers had encouraged the organisation to expand the events programme and provide visitors with more choice.
The sports schedule includes the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, which is due to take place from 19 November to 13 December. MotoGP is scheduled to return to the Lusail International Circuit from 6 to 8 November, followed by the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final from 10 to 12 December. The Doha Marathon is set for 15 January 2027.
Tennis will feature the Qatar TotalEnergies Open from 8 to 15 February, while Doha is due to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup from 27 August to 12 September 2027. Formula 1 is also scheduled to return to Lusail for the Qatar Grand Prix from 3 to 5 December 2027.
The programme includes performances by Hans Zimmer, Angham and Saint Levant, as well as a concert featuring music from the Harry Potter films. Other events listed include the Qatar International Food Festival, Art Basel and the Al Ruwais Festival. The Qatar Calendar platform brings the listings together so residents and visitors can plan around them.
US television host and comedian Steve Harvey, who appeared at the launch, said he had agreed to a multi-year deal to bring further entertainment events to Qatar. His plans include the return of FuelFest, a new comedy series and Family Feud, with a possible international Family Feud competition also under consideration.
The calendar forms part of Qatar’s tourism strategy, which aims to raise tourism’s contribution to gross domestic product to 12% by 2030, according to material released with the launch. Al Mahmoud said the announcement was intended to present Qatar as open and ready to host events across sport, culture, shopping and food.