Qatar Olympic Committee Unveils Ambitious 2026 Sports Calendar

DOHA: The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has officially released its extensive calendar for sports events and competitions scheduled in 2026. This ambitious plan features a total of 83 championships, including 39 international events, 16 world championships, 10 Asian tournaments, three GCC competitions, one Arab championship, and 14 domestic events throughout the sporting year.

Exciting Kickoff in January

The sporting season launches in January 2026 with a distinguished lineup, starting with the First Tour of HH the Father Amir Equestrian Prix. This month also hosts the WTT Contender and the Second Tour of HH the Father Amir Equestrian Prix. Notable events include the Asian Shotgun Cup 2026, the fourth edition of the International Series Qatar Golf Championship, as well as the Doha FIP Promises Padel Tournament. The energy builds with the Qatar Fencing Grand Prix (Epee) and the inaugural PSA Qatar Satellite Squash Tournament, ensuring a vibrant start to the year.

February continues the sporting momentum with events such as the Qatar Masters Golf Championship and the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, coinciding with celebrations for National Sport Day and the QOC Half Marathon. This month also features the HH the Amir’s Sword International Equestrian Festival and the 2026 Qatar ExxonMobil Open, reflecting Qatar’s diverse sporting culture.

A Competitive March and Thriving April

March brings elite international competitions, including the Second Window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Qualifiers and the Longines Global Champions Tour. The month wraps up with the highly anticipated Finalissima match between Argentina and Spain, marking it as one of the most competitive periods of the year.

April stands out with a packed schedule featuring the Qatar Basketball Cup Final, the 40th Amateur Qatar Open Golf Championship, and the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup. This month showcases a mixture of local and international events, including the GCC Tennis Championships (U12–16) and the Amir Cup Volleyball Final, making it one of the busiest months of the calendar.

May shifts focus to football with the HH the Amir Football Cup Final and the Qatar Football Cup Final. The month also features a series of squash and tennis championships, including the Qatar Junior Open Squash Championship and the Asian Beach Volleyball Tour, sustaining Qatar’s momentum in regional and international sports.

Major Events and Year-End Highlights

In May 2026, Qatar will host the 4th GCC Games, welcoming elite athletes from across the Gulf to compete in 18 events at nine premier venues. June and July will see significant competitions, such as the Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship and additional qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

August will welcome the 2026 FIVB U17 World Volleyball Championship, continuing the trend of prestigious events. Following this, September will feature the 2026 FIBA Asia U18 Cup and the 2026 FISU World University Weightlifting Championship, reflecting Qatar’s commitment to youth and sporting excellence.

As the year approaches its end, October will see the PSA 4 Challenger Senior Tournament and the sixth Qatar Open Taekwondo Championship. November stands out with a hectic schedule, including the World Padel Championship and the 2026 T100 Triathlon World Championship Final.

The calendar concludes in December with the 11th Qatar International Weightlifting Cup and the 3×3 Basketball World Tour, wrapping up a remarkable sporting season.

On this announcement, Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, Director of the Sports Sector at the QOC, emphasized that the events calendar reflects comprehensive planning for the sports sector. He noted that the calendar is designed to align with organizational and technical standards, ensuring effective coordination with national federations and optimal use of facilities.

Sheikh Khalifa added that the calendar will serve as a vital reference point for operations throughout the year, enhancing the integration of planning and implementation among various stakeholders. This initiative aims to strengthen Qatar’s national sports ecosystem while supporting the readiness of federations for sustainable event hosting.