Doha Festival City to Open Fan Zone for FIFA World Cup 2026

Doha Festival City is set to transform into a vibrant hub of football excitement with the launch of "Hala Bel Fans," a comprehensive activation running from June 11 to July 19.

As one of Qatar's premier retail and lifestyle destinations, the mall will dedicate nearly forty days to celebrating the world's most anticipated sporting tournament, offering a fully immersive experience for fans, families, and visitors of all ages at no cost.

The "Hala Bel Fans" campaign will reconfigure multiple areas of the shopping center into four distinct zones designed to engage the community through live entertainment, interactive challenges, and public screenings. A central feature of the initiative is the live viewing area located at the North Food Court, which will host public match screenings throughout the tournament, fostering a communal atmosphere for supporters to watch the games together.

Embracing the trend of "phygital" entertainment, the venue introduces the Hero Interactive Zone. This area blends physical activity with digital technology, featuring cutting-edge attractions such as projection-based Multiball football experiences and virtual reality challenges. Visitors can also test their skills in competitive gaming sessions utilizing PlayStation 5 Pro and Nintendo Switch consoles, creating a dynamic intersection of sport and modern tech.

For younger attendees and families, the first floor will house the Kids Play Zone. This area offers creative engagement through activities like face painting, LEGO football construction, and toy play sessions. Expanding beyond specific rooms, the Interactive Football Games Zone will span the mall's corridors, presenting six skill-based challenges including Foot Pool, Foot Golf, Foot Bowling, a Power Ramp, a Target Wall, and a Header Challenge to test agility and precision.

Beyond the interactive zones, the activation includes a robust entertainment schedule running from Wednesday through Saturday. The program features displays of jerseys from participating nations and collections of football memorabilia. On weekends, the atmosphere will be amplified by roaming mascot parades accompanied by drummers, stilt walkers, and various performers to ensure a festive environment for all guests.

Tugrul Comert, Director of Asset Management at Doha Festival City, emphasized that major sporting events possess a unique power to unite people. He noted that the initiative was designed to channel this energy directly into the mall, creating an inclusive space where visitors can access high-quality fan experiences, live broadcasts, and family entertainment free of charge throughout the summer months.