DOHA : Al Janoub Arena will officially open its doors on Thursday when Qatar face China in the Asian Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, marking the start of the final one-year countdown to the tournament.
The game in Window 4 of the Asian Qualifiers will give the newly redeveloped arena its first competitive test ahead of the World Cup and offer fans an early glimpse of the atmosphere expected during next year’s tournament.
Qatar finished second in Group D in the first phase of the Asian Qualifiers with 10 points, behind Lebanon, to advance to the second round despite already securing an automatic World Cup berth as hosts.
The hosts begin their second-phase campaign against China in Doha before facing Japan and South Korea in home-and-away games in the coming qualifying windows.
The opening of Al Janoub Arena is also part of Qatar’s preparations to host major international sporting events, with the venue representing a new chapter for a stadium that previously hosted matches at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Located in Al Wakrah, the arena has been redeveloped from its football legacy to accommodate basketball for the 2027 World Cup, in a first-of-its-kind transformation. It has a capacity of 8,200 spectators for basketball competitions.
The venue features Sky Boxes, hospitality and Courtside seating, along with team changing rooms and recovery facilities. Food and beverage outlets are distributed throughout the arena as part of efforts to enhance the spectator experience.
The redevelopment forms part of Qatar’s push to build a sustainable sporting legacy while ensuring its venues and infrastructure are ready to stage major continental and international competitions.
