Design Doha Launches Urban Design Competition for MENASA Creatives

Design Doha has launched the Urban Space Design Competition in partnership with architect Javier Peña Ibáñez, inviting designers from the MENASA region to create permanent public installations across Doha.

Winners will receive QR25,000 and up to QR120,000 for production, with selected works unveiled during Design Doha 2026.

The competition aims to transform parks, markets, and public spaces through sustainable, culturally relevant design.

Submissions are open until July 26, 2025 via the Design Doha website.

MasterChef Australia Films in Qatar

MasterChef Australia, one of the world's most-watched cooking shows with a global audience of over 250 million, brought its latest culinary adventure to Qatar, blending intense competition with Doha's rich culture and iconic backdrops.

Filmed at stunning locations like Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village, and the Museum of Islamic Art, contestants turned traditional Qatari flavors into modern masterpieces.

From the golden dome of Katara Mosque to the dramatic landscapes of Habitas Ras Abrouq, Qatar became both muse and stage.

With Qatar Airways as a key sponsor, the special episodes not only highlighted the country's beauty but also positioned Doha on the global culinary map—introducing millions of viewers to its unique blend of heritage, innovation, and hospitality.

Wael Shawky Named Artistic Director of Inaugural Art Basel Qatar

Art Basel Qatar will debut in Doha from February 5–7, 2026, with VIP days on February 3–4, marking the Swiss fair's first edition in the Gulf.

The event, a collaboration with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and QC+, will be held across M7 and the Doha Design District.

Egyptian artist Wael Shawky has been appointed as artistic director, becoming the first artist to lead an Art Basel fair.

The inaugural theme, "Becoming," explores the Gulf's transformation and will shape an open-format fair that departs from the traditional booth model.

Galleries will present solo shows responding to the curatorial theme, encouraging deeper engagement with art from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region.

The fair aims to showcase Qatar's cultural evolution, deepen international art ties, and reshape the global fair model through research-driven, narrative-rich presentations.

UFC to Debut in Qatar with Historic Fight Night in Doha This November

UFC will host its first-ever event in Qatar on November 22, staging a Fight Night at ABHA Arena in Doha as part of a new partnership with Visit Qatar.

UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the long-anticipated move, marking a key expansion into the Gulf region following successes in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.

The collaboration aligns with Qatar's strategy to position itself as a global hub for major sporting events.

Visit Qatar CEO Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi emphasized the UFC's global reach and the opportunity to highlight the country's infrastructure, cultural richness, and growing status in the international sports arena.

Qatar Airways Partners with Novak Djokovic's Regenesis Wellness Pod

Qatar Airways has partnered with tennis legend Novak Djokovic to introduce Regenesis, a high-tech wellness pod designed to boost recovery through therapies like light, sound, and infrared heat.

Co-founded by Djokovic, the pod will be offered to airline staff and travelers as part of Qatar Airways' wellness focus.

Msheireb Properties Wins Two Awards at 2025 Luxury Lifestyle Awards

Msheireb Properties earned top honors at the 2025 Luxury Lifestyle Awards, winning Best Luxury Residential Development for the Msheireb Townhouse and Best Luxury Sustainable Resort Development for Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som.

The awards recognize Msheireb's blend of heritage, innovation, and sustainability, reinforcing Qatar's leadership in luxury real estate.

Both projects feature advanced smart systems and eco-friendly design, with Zulal integrating Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine into its wellness offerings.

Qatar's Saeed Hamad Jumaa Triumphs at 2025 Budapest Show Jumping Championship

Qatari rider Saeed Hamad Jumaa claimed first place in the Bronze Round of the CSI1 (One-Star) category at the prestigious 2025 Budapest International Show Jumping Championship, held over jumps at a height of 130 cm.

Riding Diesel GB Du Bois Madame, Saeed Hamad Jumaa delivered a flawless performance, underscoring the growing strength of Qatari equestrian sports on the global stage.

The Budapest event is part of the FEI international show jumping circuit, attracting elite riders from across Europe and beyond.

Saeed Hamad Jumaa's win adds to a growing list of international achievements for Qatar in the sport, reflecting the nation's investment in equestrian development and the emergence of new talent representing Qatar at top-tier global competitions.

Qatar Eyes 2029 FIFA Club World Cup with Winter Format Bid

Qatar is in talks with FIFA to host the 2029 Club World Cup, proposing a December schedule to avoid summer heat—mirroring the 2022 World Cup.

Backed by existing stadiums and a compact, sustainable setup, Qatar positions itself as a cost-effective and climate-conscious host.

However, the plan faces resistance from European leagues over calendar disruptions, as debate grows over holding major tournaments in winter.

Qatar Goodwood Festival Returns July 29

Presented by Visit Qatar, the Qatar Goodwood Festival—fondly known as Glorious Goodwood—returns from July 29 to August 2, promising five days of elite horse racing, world-class athletes, and British glamour.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Sussex Downs, the festival is one of the most prestigious and anticipated events on the global flat racing calendar, attracting royalty, celebrities, and fashion icons.

A blend of sport, style, and spectacle, the festival features two headline Group 1 races: the £500,000 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup and the £600,000 Visit Qatar Nassau Stakes.

With support from Visit Qatar, the festival has grown into a global showcase of excellence in racing and hospitality.

It reflects Qatar's growing influence in international sport and culture and adds a rich layer of Middle Eastern prestige to this British summer tradition.

National Museum of Qatar Marks 50 Years of Cultural Legacy

The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) celebrates its 50th anniversary this June, highlighting its role in preserving the nation's cultural heritage since its founding in 1975.

Now housed in the iconic Jean Nouvel-designed building, NMoQ is a symbol of Qatar's transformation and identity.

The milestone coincides with Qatar Museums' 20th anniversary and is part of the "Evolution Nation" campaign by Qatar Creates.

Events will run throughout the year, including a special anniversary exhibition in October 2025.

A public initiative, "Memories from the Public," invites individuals to share personal stories connected to the museum, celebrating its lasting impact on generations.

QIA & Fiera Capital Launch $200M Qatar Equity Fund to Boost Local Market

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Fiera Capital have launched the Fiera Qatar Equity Fund, a $200 million actively managed mutual fund focused on equities listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange.

As part of QIA's Active Asset Management Initiative, the fund aims to attract both local and international institutional investors while supporting Qatar's financial market growth and diversification.

QIA serves as the anchor investor, contributing cash and QSE-listed shares. This marks QIA's second strategic partnership under the initiative, following its collaboration with the Ashmore Group.

Fiera Capital, a leading independent asset manager with $117 billion in assets under management, brings global expertise and a strong track record in equity investment.

The firm's inclusion reflects QIA's focus on working with best-in-class partners to enhance market liquidity, diversify capital markets, and strengthen investor confidence in Qatar's growing financial sector.

Qatar's Former Deputy Prime Minister Acquires Historic Scottish School

Glenalmond College, one of Scotland's most prestigious private schools, has been acquired by 35 Education—a venture led by Turkish academic Prof. Basak Akdemir and Qatar's former Deputy Prime Minister Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah.

The deal, driven by financial pressures and declining student numbers, includes plans for major investment and international expansion.

Al Attiyah, now president of the Glenalmond Schools Group, has also funded 40 scholarships.

The new owners aim to revive the school and possibly replicate it globally.