Doha, Qatar – The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has unveiled its comprehensive sports events calendar for 2026, featuring a robust lineup of 83 championships designed to showcase Qatar’s growing prominence as a global sporting hub. The calendar includes 39 international events, 16 world championships, and numerous regional competitions, promising a year filled with athletic excellence and opportunities for both local and international athletes. This ambitious schedule underscores Qatar’s commitment to fostering a thriving sporting ecosystem.
The packed calendar begins in January and extends through December, encompassing a diverse range of disciplines from equestrian events and golf to basketball, volleyball, and padel. According to the QOC, the schedule is the result of integrated institutional planning and aims to optimize the utilization of sports venues across the country. The events will be held in nine premier sports venues throughout Qatar.
Qatar’s 2026 Sports Calendar: A Year of Competition
The 2026 calendar is strategically structured to provide consistent sporting action throughout the year. January will kick off with prestigious events like the First Tour of HH the Father Amir Equestrian Prix and the Asian Shotgun Cup 2026. February will see the Qatar Masters Golf Championship and the Qatar TotalEnergies Open take center stage, coinciding with National Sport Day celebrations.
March promises high-level competition with the Longines Global Champions Tour and the Finalissima match between Argentina and Spain. April is shaping up to be one of the busiest months, hosting events like the Ooredoo Qatar Major Premier Padel Tournament and the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup.
Key Highlights and Regional Events
May will see a spotlight on football with the HH the Amir Football Cup Final, alongside several junior tennis and beach volleyball tournaments. A major highlight of the year will be the 4th GCC Games, hosted in May, welcoming elite athletes from across the Gulf region to compete in 18 different sports.
The latter half of the year continues the momentum, with the Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship in June and July, and the 2026 FIVB U17 World Volleyball Championship in August. September will feature the 2026 FIBA Asia U18 Cup and the QTerminals Qatar Classic 2026, while November will host the World Padel Championship and the ISSF World Shooting Championship.
The calendar also includes several qualifying events for major international competitions, including multiple windows for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Qualifiers. This demonstrates Qatar’s ongoing preparations to host future global sporting events.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, Director of the Sports Sector at the QOC, emphasized that the calendar reflects a commitment to precise organizational and technical standards, and close coordination with national federations. He added that the schedule will contribute to the unification of planning and monitoring mechanisms within the sports sector.
The QOC’s announcement comes as Qatar continues to invest heavily in its sports infrastructure and aims to establish itself as a leading destination for international competitions. The country successfully hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2022, and this calendar builds on that legacy. The focus on a diverse range of sports, including equestrian, golf, and volleyball, demonstrates a broad approach to developing athletic talent and attracting global attention.
Looking ahead, the QOC will focus on the logistical preparations for these events, ensuring smooth operations and a positive experience for athletes and spectators alike. The success of the 2026 calendar will be measured by the level of competition, the participation of top athletes, and the overall impact on Qatar’s reputation as a world-class sporting destination. Further details regarding ticketing and event schedules will be released in the coming months, and stakeholders will be closely monitoring the implementation of the plan throughout the year.
