Doha: In the presence of H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the GCC Games – Doha 2026, the competitions of the GCC Games officially got underway this evening in the Qatari capital, Doha, with a distinguished Opening Ceremony held at Al Shaqab, reflecting the commitment of the GCC nations to supporting sport and hosting major sporting events.
The opening ceremony was attended by a number of Their Highnesses and Excellencies, Ministers, Presidents of the GCC Olympic committees, and senior sports officials, including HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee; H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee; Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, President of the Kuwait Olympic Committee; H.H. Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said, President of the Oman Olympic Committee; and Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, alongside a number of GCC sports leaders.
The ceremony was also attended by H.E. Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Games; and Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, Director of the Sports Affairs Sector at the Qatar Olympic Committee and Director General of the Organizing Committee of the Games.
The Games will bring together 1400 athletes and officials where participating athletes will compete across 17 sports over 11 days of competition, in a new edition that further reinforces Qatar’s established reputation as a safe, welcoming and world-class host nation.
The Games also build on the spirit of Gulf solidarity demonstrated during the recent Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026, where efforts led by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani played an important role in facilitating and supporting the participation of GCC delegations and athletes in the games, reflecting his continued commitment to strengthening Gulf sporting cooperation and ensuring athletes remain at the heart of regional sport. Hosting the GCC Games Doha 2026 further reflects the ongoing efforts led by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani to support GCC sport and create opportunities that bring together athletes and young people from across the region in an atmosphere of friendship, competition and unity.
President of the Olympic Council of Asia, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Doha 2026 Organising Committee, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, said: “Doha is proud to host this fourth edition of the GCC Games, bringing together athletes and friends from across our region. At a time when the world faces many challenges and uncertainties, these Games reaffirm the important role sport can play in strengthening dialogue, cooperation and understanding between peoples. Sport continues to be one of the strongest platforms for unity and optimism across the Gulf region.
We witnessed this clearly during the Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026, where all 45 National Olympic Committees of Asia came together in a remarkable celebration of sport and friendship.” “In Qatar, we strongly believe in the power of sport to build healthier, more connected and more united societies.
Over the past two decades, Qatar has welcomed athletes, fans and delegations from around the world and hosted more than 20 World Championships. This legacy, which dates back to the Doha 2006 Asian Games, has provided us with world-class venues and expertise that today serve the ambitions of athletes from across the Gulf.
We extend our appreciation to the GCC Federations, partners and organisers for their support of this event, and to every athlete competing in Doha 2026 — we wish them success in showcasing the true spirit of Gulf sport.” Competitions will be staged across Qatar’s state-of-the-art sports venues, providing athletes with world-class conditions to perform at their best. The venues include Aspire Dome, the Women’s Sports Hall, Hamad Aquatic Centre, Qatar Sports Club, the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall, Al Gharafa Sports Club, Lusail Shooting Range, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, Qatar Bowling Federation Hall, and Duhail Arena.
All venues have an established track record in hosting major regional and international sporting events, including Hamad Aquatic Centre, which will stage the swimming competitions and previously hosted the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024, as well as the world-renowned Aspire Dome, which will host taekwondo, table tennis and karate competitions and has previously welcomed numerous international tournaments and world championships. The 17 sports featured at Doha 2026 are archery, athletics, 3x3 basketball, billiards, boxing, bowling, equestrian, fencing, handball, karate, padel, table tennis, taekwondo, shooting, snooker, swimming and volleyball. Qatar’s WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratory will oversee anti-doping testing throughout the Games. Doha 2026 marks the fourth edition of the GCC Games, following the previous edition held in Kuwait in 2022.
