Old Doha Port has announced that the second edition of the Fishing Exhibition and the third edition of the Fishing Competition, originally scheduled to take place from 23–28 March 2026 at Mina Park, has been postponed until further notice.
Updates on rescheduled dates will be shared across Old Doha Port’s official channels as soon as they are confirmed.
Old Doha Port remains committed to Qatar’s rich maritime heritage and looks forward to welcoming back the fishing community in due course.
The Qatar Football Festival 2026, scheduled to take place from March 26 to March 31 in Doha, has been officially cancelled due to ongoing travel disruptions and regional airspace closures, organisers announced.
The decision was made by the Local Organising Committee in coordination with international football bodies including UEFA and CONMEBOL. As a result, all events planned as part of the festival will no longer take place in Qatar.
One of the biggest highlights of the festival was the Finalissima Qatar 2026, which was set to feature the Copa América champions Argentina national football team against UEFA EURO 2024 winners Spain national football team.
The highly anticipated match was scheduled to be held at Lusail Stadium in Doha, attracting thousands of international football fans. However, due to current travel limitations and airspace disruptions affecting international movement, organisers confirmed that the match will not proceed as originally planned.
According to the organising committee, ongoing airspace disruption and travel restrictions have significantly affected the ability of fans, players, and match officials to travel to Qatar. After reviewing the situation and considering the logistical challenges, the organisers concluded that cancelling the event was the most appropriate decision.
Despite the cancellation, the committee expressed its commitment to hosting future international football events and working closely with UEFA and CONMEBOL on upcoming opportunities.
Fans who purchased tickets for the Qatar Football Festival 2026 will automatically receive full refunds within 30 days, which will be processed through the original payment method used during purchase.
Ticket holders who do not receive their refunds within the given timeframe are encouraged to contact [email protected] for assistance.
For further updates, fans can visit the official website www.roadtoqatar.qa or follow @roadtoqatar on major social media platforms.
The Local Organising Committee thanked fans for their patience, understanding, and continued support following the cancellation announcement.
The 2026 Finalissima between Spain national football team and Argentina national football team has been officially cancelled due to the current political situation in the region.
The match, scheduled for 27 March 2026 in Qatar, was set to feature the winners of UEFA Euro 2024 and 2024 Copa América.
According to UEFA, efforts were made to relocate the match to alternative venues, including Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid or a neutral European venue. However, no agreement was reached with the Argentine Football Association, leading to the cancellation.
The Finalissima is organized jointly by UEFA and CONMEBOL, and serves as a showdown between the two continental champions. The game was initially planned to be held in Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
The cancellation means fans will miss out on what was expected to be one of the biggest international showdowns of the year. The match would likely have featured global stars such as Lionel Messi representing Argentina and rising Spanish talent Lamine Yamal.
The fixture had generated enormous anticipation worldwide, with many viewing it as a symbolic meeting between the current champions of European and South American football.
With the 2026 edition now cancelled, it remains unclear whether the match will be rescheduled in the future or skipped entirely until the next cycle of continental champions.
For now, football fans around the world will have to wait longer to see a potential showdown between Spain and Argentina on the global stage.
The Amiri Diwan has officially announced the Eid Al-Fitr holiday schedule for ministries, government entities, and public institutions across the State of Qatar.
According to the announcement, the Eid holiday for the public sector will begin on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, and continue until Monday, March 23, 2026.
Employees working in ministries, government agencies, and public bodies and institutions will resume official duties on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, following the end of the holiday period.
The Amiri Diwan also clarified that the holiday schedule for Qatar Central Bank and financial institutions operating under its supervision, as well as the Qatar Financial Markets Authority and financial markets, will be determined separately.
In this case, the Governor of Qatar Central Bank will announce the official start and end dates of the Eid Al-Fitr holiday for the financial sector.
Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a significant religious celebration observed by Muslims worldwide. The holiday is typically celebrated with special prayers, family gatherings, charity, and festive meals.
During the Eid break, many government offices and public services operate with limited hours, while residents across Qatar take the opportunity to celebrate with family and friends.
The Eid holiday provides a week-long break for government employees, allowing residents to participate in religious observances and festive celebrations across the country.
Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Lusail International Circuit (LIC) confirm that the MotoGP™ QATAR AIRWAYS GRAND PRIX OF QATAR 2026, originally scheduled for 10 to 12 April, has been postponed and rescheduled to November 6-8 later this year, following a decision by MotoGP Sport and Entertainment Group, while QMMF and LIC confirmed their respect and support for the decision.
The event will welcome the world’s premier motorcycle racing championship back to Lusail International Circuit, continuing Qatar’s long standing role on the MotoGP™ calendar. Since first hosting a MotoGP™ round in 2004, LIC has become one of the most distinctive venues in the championship, staging the sport’s first ever night race in 2008 to date and establishing itself as one of the most iconic settings in global motorcycle racing.
Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai, President of the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation and Lusail International Circuit (LIC), said:
“The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Lusail International Circuit (LIC) respect and support the decision of the MotoGP Sport and Entertainment Group to postpone the MotoGP™️ Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar to November 6–8, 2026. We sincerely thank our fans, teams and partners for their understanding and ongoing support, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Lusail International Circuit.”
Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP, said:
“This decision was taken with great care and in full coordination with our partners in Qatar and across the paddock. Our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in MotoGP, as well as ensuring that every Grand Prix is delivered to the highest possible standard. We also recognise the importance of providing clarity for our fans as early as possible and ticket holders will be given the opportunity to rollover their tickets to the next event”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP
“I would also like to thank our partners in Portimão and Valencia for their collaboration and flexibility in helping us deliver a smooth transition to the revised calendar. We are confident that the updated schedule will allow us to preserve the quality of the championship while offering fans an exceptional season of racing.”
All purchased tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled event. Ticket holders may contact us at [email protected] for more information. Further updates will be communicated as soon as they become available.
QMMF and LIC remain committed to supporting FIM and its long term presence in Qatar, reinforcing the nation’s position as a key destination on the global motorsport calendar.
Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Lusail International Circuit (LIC) confirm that the Qatar 1812 KM, part of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), has been rescheduled and will now take place from 22nd to 24th October 2026 at Lusail International Circuit.
Originally scheduled for March, the event was postponed earlier this year following a decision made by FIA WEC, while QMMF and LIC confirmed their respect and support for the decision. The new October date ensures the race will remain on the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship calendar, allowing teams, partners and fans to experience endurance racing at one of the Middle East’s premier motorsport venues later in the season. Additionally LIC will play a pivotal role as it will be hosting the penultimate race of the season creating a more dramatic environment for leading teams.
The Qatar 1812 KM has quickly established itself as a key event on the FIA WEC calendar since Qatar joined the championship in 2024. As one of the world’s leading endurance racing series, the FIA WEC brings together some of the most prestigious automotive manufacturers to compete in long distance races that test speed, strategy and mechanical resilience.
Entering its 14th season, the championship continues to showcase a remarkable level of global competition. In 2026, 14 major manufacturers with 35 full season entries including 17 Hypercars and 18 LMGT3 cars will be represented, including Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Genesis, Peugeot and Toyota in the premier Hypercar class, alongside leading GT manufacturers such as Corvette, Ford, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche in LMGT3. Together, these brands create one of the most diverse and competitive grids in international motorsport.
The championship’s endurance format, where teams of up to three drivers share a single car over races lasting several hours, combines engineering excellence with strategic precision. From hybrid prototype Hypercars to production based LMGT3 machines, the FIA WEC continues to highlight innovation, sustainability and technological development at the highest level of motorsport.
All previously purchased tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled event. Ticket holders seeking additional information may contact [email protected]. Further details regarding the race weekend and spectator activities will be announced in due course.
QMMF and LIC remain committed to supporting the long term growth of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Qatar, reinforcing the nation’s position as a key destination on the global motorsport calendar.
Qatar Tourism has announced that the temporary hotel stay extensions provided to visitors affected by recent travel disruptions will remain in place until 14 March 2026, allowing guests additional time to make the necessary travel arrangements to return to their home destinations.
The temporary measure was introduced to support visitors whose travel plans were disrupted due to exceptional circumstances. Eligible visitors whose flights were cancelled or disrupted since 28 February have been provided with complimentary hotel stay extensions in licensed hotels, including accommodation in the same room category and three daily meals, coordinated between Qatar Tourism and hospitality partners.
Visitors can finalise their travel arrangements by 14 March. Those requiring assistance may contact their hotel concierge, the Qatar Tourism hotline at 106 or the international line at +974 4406 9921.
Source – Qatar Tourism
Qatar Airways has announced that it has transported nearly 300 tons of essential goods to the State of Qatar since the beginning of March, ensuring the continued supply of vital commodities to the country.
In a statement released Thursday, the airline said it had taken the necessary logistical arrangements to secure the arrival of key supplies, including health medicines, baby milk, fresh food products such as meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, medical equipment, and other essential food items.
The airline noted that it has been bringing more than 200 tons of vital imports per day to Doha, operating cargo flights from major global markets across Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, India, Pakistan, and other international regions.
According to the statement, the efforts come amid the continued closure of Qatar’s airspace since February 28, which has posed operational challenges for the aviation sector. Despite these conditions, Qatar Airways said it has remained committed to supporting the country by maintaining the steady flow of essential imports.
The airline added that, after receiving temporary approval from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority for the partial resumption of air traffic through limited and safe air routes, it has resumed operating cargo flights through these designated corridors. These flights aim to support suppliers, traders, and companies by ensuring the consistent delivery of critical goods to the country.
To further strengthen supply operations, Qatar Airways has repurposed part of its fleet of 30 Boeing 777 freighter aircraft to facilitate the efficient and rapid transportation of essential commodities, prioritizing supplies needed by citizens and residents.
The airline emphasized that it will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and adjust its services and cargo capacity accordingly, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the State of Qatar’s supply chains and national needs.
SOURCE – QNA
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has announced an amendment to the schedule of the mid-second-semester examinations for the academic year 2025–2026 for students in grades one through eleven (daytime schools).
The decision comes in light of the current developments and aims to ensure that students are provided with appropriate and supportive conditions to sit for their exams.
According to the ministry, the revised examination period will now take place from April 12 to April 21, 2026.
Officials stated that the adjustment is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to maintain the smooth functioning of the academic process while prioritizing the well-being and preparedness of students.
The ministry also confirmed that detailed exam schedules for each grade will be announced at a later date through official channels.
Students, parents, and school administrations are encouraged to follow updates from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education for further information regarding the exam timetables and related procedures.
The initiative enables customers to support riders during through simple in-app giving
talabat, the leading on-demand delivery platform in MENA, has partnered with Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) to launch ‘Hero Meals.’ The initiative enables customers to donate meals to riders directly through the app.
As part of the initiative, participating restaurants will offer specially curated meal options available within the ‘Hero Meals’ collection on the talabat app. Customers can support riders by adding a Hero Meal to their order in just a few taps. The donated meals will be distributed to riders, offering a simple and meaningful way for customers to show appreciation during the holy month.
Francisco Miguel De Sousa, Managing Director of talabat Qatar, said:
“With Hero Meals, we are happy to launch an initiative that allows our customers to directly support the riders who serve our community every day. Partnering with Qatar Red Crescent Society ensures that this campaign is delivered with credibility and meaningful impact.”
Francisco Miguel De Sousa
Eng. Ibrahim bin Hashem Al-Sada, Managing Director – Secretary-General of QRCS, stated:
“We at QRCS give priority to partnership with the private-sector companies that cherish corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a central component of their business model. For years now, talabat Qatar has been working closely with us to promote community service and welfare. This initiative is just another example, which we really appreciate.”
Eng. Ibrahim bin Hashem Al-Sada
Customers can participate by opening the talabat app, navigating to the ‘Hero Meals’ collection, and adding a rider meal to their order.
Customers can download the talabat application through the iOS App Store, Google Playstore, and Huawei App Gallery.
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