Qatar to host cultural, entertainment extravaganza for World Cup

Qatar will host a vast array of cultural and entertainment options during this year’s FIFA World Cup, which will be held from November 20 to December 18, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) announced Friday.The country-wide festival will include more than 90 special events set to take place on the sidelines of the tournament, which marked its 100-day countdown yesterday (Friday). The major events will feature match viewing areas, music festivals, cultural displays and street performances.The country’s centrepiece entertainment offering during the FIFA World Cup will be the Doha Corniche, which will have a carnival atmosphere along its 6km route, stretching from the Sheraton Grand Doha to the Museum of Islamic Art Park. It will feature roving performances, cultural activities, food and beverage stalls, and retail outlets. More than 120,000 people will be able to visit the Corniche at peak time.Fans who attend matches will experience a host of entertainment in the vicinity of all eight stadiums. The Last-Mile Cultural Activation will feature more than 6,000 performances in 21 locations. Special highlights will include visual arts, crafts and heritage, fashion and design, performance art, music and film screenings.Away from the stadiums, football fans will flock to the FIFA Fan Festival at Al Bidda Park, which will show every match live and feature stage performances, food and beverage outlets, cultural activities and sponsor activations. The FIFA Fan Festival will open on November 20 and have the capacity to host up to 40,000 visitors. In addition, fan zones will be hosted in the Industrial Area and Al Khor. More details will be announced soon.Fans will be able to enjoy theme park rides and other attractions at Al Maha Island Lusail, including ice skating and circus performances. There will also be a beach club and a range of food and beverage options, including both high-end and casual dining. Al Maha Island Lusail will also host a range of concerts and performances for people of all ages.The Arcadia Spectacular dance music festival will be held near Ras Bu Fontas metro station and host up to 15,000 fans, while another music event, hosted by MDLBEAST, will take place in Al Wakrah and is set to attract 5,000 fans.Another tourist hotspot will be the 974 Beach Club – located close to 974 Stadium – and offering music, activities, food and beverage options, and retail stalls for up to 10,000 guests. Lusail Boulevard – located close to the stadium that will host the FIFA World Cup final – will stage street performances for around 50,000 people every day.In addition, a variety of cultural and entertainment activities will be available for fans across key tourist destinations in the country, including museums, Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village and Msheireb Downtown Doha.Khalid al-Mawlawi, deputy director general, Marketing, Communications & Event Experience, SC, said: “Fans from across the globe should expect an incredible experience when they arrive in Qatar for the biggest mega-event ever to be held in our country and region. Thanks to close collaboration with our many stakeholders, we will deliver a variety of entertainment activities for both locals and visitors as we aim to deliver the most exciting edition of the FIFA World Cup in history.”