Following the immensely successful delivery of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, voted the best this century, the country is gearing up to welcome the world once more with the AFC Asian Cup 2023 from January 12 - February 10, 2024.
The AFC Asian Cup 2023 demonstrates Qatar’s ongoing sporting legacy and showcases the ability to host large-scale events and welcome visitors from across the globe with its world-class tourism infrastructure, which includes an award-winning airport Hamad International Airport and national airline Qatar Airways, metro and tram network (which carried over 18.2mn passengers during the FIFA World Cup2022, hotels, and leisure attractions.
In addition, Qatar will be abuzz with some of the biggest events of the year during the AFC Asian Cup 2023, providing visitors and residents with a packed itinerary of things to do and see pre- and post- matches.
Qatar Tourism (QT) chairman Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, said: "We are pleased to host the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, from January 12 to February 10. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy exciting times and explore many tourist attractions in Qatar.
"Qatar Tourism will offer a rich array of exciting events and festivals that will amuse both Qatar's residents and its visitors. The kickoff of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 coincides with the organisation of various festivals and events, including Shop Qatar, Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE), Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF), Qatar Kite Festival, and International Horticultural Doha Expo 2023, which continues until late March. Additionally, there will be a series of musical and entertainment events that together form an unforgettable and exceptional experience.
"Over the past years, Qatar has successfully become a distinguished sports tourism destination, due to its advanced infrastructure, sports facilities, and medical facilities. This is in addition to the diversity of sports events it hosts, especially FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Qatar has demonstrated to the world its hospitality, exceptional organisation, complemented by the presence of luxurious tourist facilities and the picturesque landscapes that characterise the destination," the QT chairman added.
Shop Qatar 2024 is running until January 27, with incredible discounts in stores, raffle draws, and entertainment spread out in malls. There are a total of 13 malls and shopping districts participating, hundreds of shops featuring different offers and entertainment.
QIFF is from February 7 – 17 at Family Zone at the Expo 2023 Doha venue Al Bidda Park. DJWE 2024 is at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from February 5 to 11. Expo 2023 Doha, running until March 28, is the first ever A1 international horticultural exhibition in the Mena region.
The Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art is hosting several exhibitions until March 2024. Some of these include Mehdi Moutashar: Introspection as Resistance, Distilled Lessons: Abstraction in Arab Modernism, Cities Under Quarantine: The Mailbox Project, and De/Constructed Meanings.
Close to Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium is the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum in Al Samriya. The museum boasts traditional Syrian craftsmanship, artefacts dating back to the Jurassic age, antique automobiles, and rustic carpets, to name a few.
Balancing football cheers with moments of solitude, fans can take respite at the Aspire Park, Qatar’s biggest park with lush green spaces, walking tracks and cozy cafes. In Education City, there is Oxygen Park, which has walking tracks and football fields to practice, and the Qur'anic Botanic Garden, which features plants mentioned in the Qur'an and Sunnah.
The Heenat Salma Farm, which is a 20-minute drive away from the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, offers organic products, crafts, creative workshops and vocational training, and wellness spas.
Qatar is hosting various music artists across three locations. At Hotel Park in West Bay, visitors and residents can enjoy Arab singer Wafeek Habeeb’s music on January 17, electronic music by ‘Swedish House Mafia’ on January 19, performances by the renowned band ‘Backstreet Boys’ on January 26, and internationally-recognised pop band ‘OneRepublic’ on February 1. For tickets, visit: https://tickets.virginmegastore.me/qa
At the Katara Ampitheatre, music lovers can watch performances by Arab singers Modi and Rehab al-Shamrani on January 27, Lebanese artist Najwa Karam on February 1, Moroccan-French performer Amine Boudchar on February 8, and Egyptian singer Amal Maher on February 11. For tickets visit: https://www.eventat.com/home
The Qatar National Convention Centre will be hosting the established artist Nassif Zeytoun on February 3. The Lusail Boulevard and Plaza is welcoming fans for its ‘Hello Asia’ festival from January 10– February 10. The Boulevard is getting ready to be decked with stunning lighting, cultural flags and décor, and F&B kiosks to entertain and encourage fans to show support for their countries’ teams. There will be 24 country zones, such as Qatar, China, India, South Korea, and Lebanon to name a few.
Fans headed to Education City Stadium will get a close-up look with the Qatar National Library (QNL) which is structured as a shell made by folding two pieces of paper, or the contemporary design of the Education City Mosque, Minaretein. Both QNL and Minartein are worth exploring on the inside with the library’s café, 3D printing, music studio, and reading nooks, and the mosque’s guided-tour. At Al Wakra is the Abu Manaratain Mosque, with unconventional architecture from the 1940s to appreciate.
The Meryal Waterpark recently opened at Qetaifan Island North, with rides designed to reflect the oil and gas industry’s omnipresence in Qatari culture. One of its rides, the Icon Tower is world’s highest tower of its kind. The annual Winter Wonderland Lusail is now operating on Al Maha Island, near the Lusail Stadium, with 50 rides which encompass 25 family rides, 15 children’s rides, 10 thrill rides, the 395-rollercoaster, and the 150 ft tall Ferris Wheel.
Within the premise of the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium is the Duhail Night Market, Qatar’s pioneering night market, with the finest selection of popular finger foods, coffee, and karak. In Al Waab, there is ‘The Downtown’, a new night market at Aspire Park offering different drive-thru restaurants and cafés.
The Torba Farmer’s Market, held every Saturday, in Education City, offers local, artisanal products and fresh food. Near Al Janoub Stadium is Souq Al Wakra, where one can take a stroll by the sea in the serene winter weather, indulge in a range of cuisine, primarily seafood, and explore shops selling traditional Arabian products.
A 20-minute drive away from Ahmed bin Ali Stadium is Al Shahaniya Camel Racetrack, which hosts multiple camel racing events throughout the year. Al Shaqab, near Education City Stadium, is also a popular destination for equestrian fans to watch horseback riding events, post-matches.
The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, from February 1 to 11, will showcase different purebred horses in competition with each other.
The World Aquatics Championships 2024 is taking place from February 2 – 18, 2024 at Aspire Dome, Old Doha Port, and Hamad Aquatic Center. This tournament will be hosting 2, 600 top athletes, from over 190 countries, for 75 medal events, with an opportunity for athletes to quality for Olympic Games Paris 2024. Sports include swimming (open water and artistic), diving and high diving, and water polo.
