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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. 

Visit Qatar has announced the Middle East debut of FuelFest, the world-renowned automotive and entertainment festival, which will take place in Doha on Thursday, January 23, 2026, at Katara South Parking. The one-day event will be delivered in partnership with FuelFest and regional promoter Melt Live Middle East, marking the first time the festival is staged in the Middle East. To purchase tickets, please visit: https://doha.platinumlist.net/Hosted by Cody Walker, FuelFest brings together high-performance car culture, global music talent, and immersive fan experiences in a unique festival format that has captivated audiences across the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The Qatar edition reflects the country’s growing position as a destination for world-class entertainment and major international events. Set to deliver an unforgettable experience, FuelFest Qatar will feature a star-studded lineup, including appearances by Fast & Furious cast members Tyrese Gibson and Jason Statham, followed by a live performance by DJ Infamous and will culminate in an unprecedented double-headliner concert featuring global music icons Ludacris and Busta Rhymes.Oweis Zahran, Managing Director of Melt Live Middle East, said: “FuelFest Qatar represents a major milestone for the region’s automotive and entertainment scene. In partnership with Visit Qatar, we are proud to introduce a globally recognized festival that celebrates car culture, music, and community, while honoring the legacy of Paul Walker. This debut in Doha sets a new benchmark for lifestyle festivals in the Middle East.”The addition of FuelFest to Qatar’s winter events calendar supports Visit Qatar’s ongoing efforts to deliver diverse, high-quality experiences that appeal to a broad range of audiences, while strengthening Doha’s position as a destination capable of hosting large-scale international festivals across entertainment, culture, and lifestyle.A portion of proceeds from FuelFest Qatar will be donated to Reach Out WorldWide, the global non-profit organisation founded by Paul Walker, which provides disaster relief by deploying trained first responders to communities affected by natural disasters worldwide. 

Visit Qatar signed a multi-year entertainment partnership with MELT Live, the global events company chaired by entertainment icon Steve Harvey, aimed at establishing the country as a premier hub for culture, lifestyle, and world-class events.The collaboration, sealed in Doha Wednesday, will introduce internationally recognised platforms to Qatar, with two flagship events set to debut in 2026.The signing ceremony was led by Qatar Tourism chair and chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar HE Saad bin Ali al-Kharji and MELT Live Events chairman Steve Harvey.FuelFest Qatar, a high-energy festival that merges international car culture with live music, is designed to unite automotive enthusiasts and feature global talent; while the Golf Classic by Steve Harvey is a unique lifestyle and sporting event blending competitive golf, top-tier entertainment, and celebrity participation, intended to provide a major platform for global exposure.Al-Kharji highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration, saying: “This strategic collaboration with MELT Live reflects our ambition to strengthen Qatar’s position as a global destination for major cultural and lifestyle events.“By introducing distinctive international platforms such as FuelFest and the Golf Classic, we are diversifying Qatar’s events calendar, creating new opportunities for engagement, and showcasing the country’s commitment to delivering world-class experiences that resonate with audiences worldwide.”Speaking at the announcement, Harvey underlined the foundational philosophy of his company and his attraction to the region, noting that “MELT is an acronym: M stands for the merging of cultures and ideas; E is for the enlightenment and empowerment of people; L is for learning and leadership; T is for trade and technology”.He said the launch of MELT Live in the Gulf region was motivated by the desire to merge global ideas and address misconceptions about the Middle East.“The appeal was to come here and to open up other people’s eyes about the Middle East to try to get rid of some of the misconceptions here,” Harvey said, highlighting Qatar’s unique characteristics.“I've never been anywhere where there’s complete peace... The whole thing about MELT was the merging of cultures and ideas because we have more similarities as people than we do differences,” he added.Harvey said the initial events are designed to introduce high-profile business and celebrity figures to the region. He noted that FuelFest, which originated as a spin-off from the Fast & Furious film franchise, draws large international audiences and significant automotive presence.“The future looks so bright, we could do so many things because of the willingness of Qatar, just the openness that they have towards us. It’s an honour to be in Qatar to witness this exciting new chapter with Visit Qatar and MELT Live. These events are about more than entertainment – they’re about building connections, celebrating culture, and creating unforgettable experiences,” he added.According to Visit Qatar, this landmark agreement marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration and underscores its commitment to expanding the nation’s events portfolio, creating opportunities for cultural exchange, and attracting global audiences to experience Qatar’s unique blend of hospitality and world-class entertainment.A diverse calendar of additional events is currently being planned by MELT Live and Visit Qatar, with more information expected to be announced in the coming months.