DOHA : Al Janoub Arena officially opened in its new configuration on Thursday, hosting 8,200 fans for Qatar’s 83-57 defeat by China in the Asian qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027.
The opening marked the transformation of the former football venue into a basketball arena and coincided with celebrations to mark one year until the start of the World Cup.
The Qatar-China game was the first official basketball match at the redeveloped venue, with a capacity crowd creating a lively atmosphere as Qatar began its second-round qualifying campaign.
Qatar are participating in the qualifiers as part of their preparations for next year’s tournament despite having already secured an automatic place as hosts.
The opening was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary-General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, FIBA Secretary-General Andreas Zagklis and Local Organising Committee Director General Ahmad Abdulla Al Buenain.
Al Janoub Arena will be one of four venues used for the World Cup, which will bring together 32 teams for 92 games from Aug. 27 to Sept. 12, 2027.
The other venues are Lusail Arena, Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena and Al Duhail Arena.
The opening ceremony also featured entertainment and interactive activities for supporters, giving fans an early preview of the event experience Qatar hopes to provide during the World Cup.
The redevelopment of Al Janoub Arena forms part of Qatar’s preparations to host its first FIBA Basketball World Cup, while also extending the sporting legacy of a venue that hosted matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
