Football fan zones at various locations in Doha continue to attract a large number of residents and visitors who enjoy the live preview of the 2018 FIFA World Cup matches.  
From the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena and Khalifa International Stadium to Mall of Qatar (MoQ), Hamad International Airport and Katara – the Cultural Village, the fan zones have become favourite destinations for thousands of football fans in Qatar since the tournament opened on June 14 in Russia.
“We are really excited to partner with QNB and Qatar Insurance Company to bring every World Cup game to MoQ. We have a fan zone where people can come for free, sit and watch every game,” MoQ Stuart Elder told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the Portugal Week opening in Doha on Wednesday. 
“During the last weekend, from Thursday the Oasis (stage) was full, we had a great crowd, good atmosphere, lots of families and just a really great feel in the mall for football fans coming to support their teams,” he said. 
Elder noted that many mallgoers and shoppers also enjoy watching the games live on the giant LED screens at the mall while eating in restaurants. MoQ also put up a kids’ play zone, sponsored by QNB, where the young visitors can come and take part in a number of fun-filled activities such as face painting, flag-making (for their favourite country or team), and play station, among others.
As the live screening of the tournament coincided with the Qatar Summer Festival 2018 in the country, Elder said such activities will help boost retail sales of shops at MoQ. “Having a fan zone and kids’ zone, all works really nice, which give people great activities to do over summer in Qatar and come enjoy the mall,” he stressed.
The fan zone at Khalifa International Stadium is also attracting thousands of residents and visitors who throng the venue to support and cheer for their teams, according to Aspire Zone Foundation. The fan zone, sponsored by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) as the main partner and Ooredoo (main sponsor), as well as Al Attiya Motors and Trading Co, Mannai Trading CO WLL, Witr Jewellery, Royal Air Maroc and Pepsi, will screen all football matches live until July 15.
Meanwhile, the Qatar Fan Zone at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, organised by SC, the Ministry of Culture and Sports and Qatar Tourism Authority, also continues to gather thousands of people from various communities, giving them a chance to experience a World Cup atmosphere four years before the tournament takes place in the country. The SC is encouraging families to visit the fan zone, which also features various activities and a designated zone for children, and more than 40 food and beverage carts.
Fan zones will be screening matches live today between Brazil vs Costa Rica at 3pm, Nigeria and Iceland a 6pm and Serbia vs Switzerland at 9pm.


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