FuelFest roared into Doha for its Middle East debut, transforming Katara South Parking into a celebration of car culture, cinema legacy and community, as fans, builders and celebrities shared one high-energy experience.
The event welcomed more than 6,260 fans to a high-energy automotive and entertainment festival that brought together live music and international celebrity appearances.
FuelFest is a global automotive and entertainment festival that blends high-performance cars, drifting demonstrations, live music, street art and fan experiences into a one-day lifestyle event.
Held previously across the US, Japan, the UK, and Germany, the Doha edition marked the festival’s first appearance in the region.
It was delivered in partnership with Visit Qatar and Melt Live Middle East, the event positioned Doha as an emerging hub for major international entertainment and motorsport-driven festivals.
Speaking to Gulf Times, Cody Walker, the brother of the late actor Paul Walker of the Fast and the Furious franchise, said what stood out most was the crowd itself.
“The love of cars, the love of the films and the love of motorsport is a universal language,” he said. “FuelFest is about high energy and strong fan connection, and you can really see how it brings everybody together.”
Walker added that the diversity of the Doha audience reflected exactly what FuelFest represents globally.
“I’m not surprised to see it, but I love seeing it,” he said. “I love seeing how diverse it all is.”
The Doha edition featured appearances by *Fast and the Furious stars Tyrese Gibson and Jason Statham, a live DJ set by DJ Infamous, and a historic double-headliner concert by Ludacris and Busta Rhymes.
Alongside the entertainment, fans explored supercar showcases, drift battles, live racing demonstrations and immersive fan zones, while the festival continued its tradition of supporting Reach Out WorldWide (ROWW), the disaster relief charity founded by Paul Walker.
Beyond the star power, FuelFest Doha was deeply rooted in fan culture.
For many attendees, the event was as much about emotion and nostalgia as it was about engines and speed.
“I’m here for the legacy of Paul Walker,” said one fan. “And now, of course, for Jason Statham, the cars, the vibes and the fun.”
Others spoke about their connection to the films themselves.
“I’ve watched the first *Fast and the Furious movie more than 10 times,” said another attendee. “Tokyo Drift is my favourite. It’s the cars, the culture, everything.”
Local car owners and collectives also played a central role, showcasing months and even years of work behind their custom builds.
A representative from Qatar-based car group Car Majlis said more than 60 cars from the community were displayed at the event.
“FuelFest allowed us to show what we’ve built,” said one participant, who spent nearly two years creating his car from scratch. “We build these cars for passion, and this event allows us to share that with the world.”
Motorcycle enthusiasts were equally present, with groups such as Motor Fixer QA highlighting advanced carbon fibre modifications and custom builds.
“We reduce weight, improve performance and compete in shows and races. FuelFest gives visibility to what local talent can do,” said one member.
For families, the event became a shared experience across generations.
Parents arrived with children eager to take photos with supercars and motorcycles, while many spoke about passing down their love for motorsport and automotive culture.
“I enjoy it even more because my kids are enjoying it. This is our life,” said one father.
Artists also found a place within the festival, using cars as canvases for creative expression.
One participant described transforming his vehicle with bold character designs.
“I’m an artist. Why not bring that energy here for the first time?” he said.
