Al Janoub Arena Opens in New Configuration in Front of Capacity Crowd of 8,200

27-August-2026

Al Janoub Arena Opens in New Configuration in Front of Capacity Crowd of 8,200

DOHA: The Local Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 officially opened Al Janoub Arena in its new configuration on Thursday evening in front of a capacity crowd of 8,200 fans, following its transformation from a football stadium into a basketball arena. The venue will be one of four arenas hosting games at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027.

The opening coincided with celebrations marking exactly one year to go until the start of the tournament, with Al Janoub Arena hosting the game between Qatar and China in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers. The first official game at the newly transformed arena was played in front of a packed house, creating a vibrant atmosphere in the stands.

The game was attended by H.E. Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs; H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee; H.E. Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, President of FIBA; H.E. Andreas Zagklis, Secretary General of FIBA and Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al Buenain, Director General of the Local Organising Committee for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027

Qatar suffered a (57 - 83) defeat to China in a game that marked the start of their Second Round campaign. Qatar are competing in the Qualifiers as part of their preparations for the World Cup, despite having already secured their place in the tournament as the host nation.

The arena officially opened on August 27, 2026, exactly one year before the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 tips off. The tournament will take place from August 27 to September 12, 2027, bringing together 32 national teams for 92 games across four venues: Lusail Arena, Al Janoub Arena, Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena and Al Duhail Arena.

The evening also featured a range of entertainment and interactive activities for fans, adding to the atmosphere surrounding the opening of Al Janoub Arena and the Qatar-China game and encouraging greater engagement throughout the venue. The activities complemented the on-court action and provided fans with a broader event experience, offering an early glimpse of the atmosphere the Local Organizing Committee aims to deliver during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 will be staged across Lusail Arena, Al Janoub Arena, Al Attiyah Arena and Al Duhail Arena, in a compact hosting model that will bring all 32 participating teams together in one city and minimize the need for long-distance travel between venues.

The close proximity of the venues will provide a more convenient experience for teams and fans alike, giving players more time for recovery and game preparation while offering fans greater flexibility to attend more games and enjoy the tournament atmosphere throughout the event.

Qatar will draw on its extensive experience in hosting major sporting events, as well as established and proven sports infrastructure that has previously staged numerous world championships. The transformation of Al Janoub Stadium into a basketball arena stands as one of the most prominent examples of repurposing existing venues and building on their legacy to host new global sporting events.

The one-year-to-go celebrations also coincided with the launch of the first ticket passes for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, now available to fans through the tournament’s official website, marking another important step on the road to next year’s global event.

The options include the Lusail Series Pass, covering all 32 games to be played at Lusail Arena; the Final Phase Pass, covering all 12 games from the Quarter-Finals through to the Final; and the Follow My Team Qatar Pass, which includes Qatar’s five Group Phase games – three in the first round and two in the second round.

The Follow My Team Qatar Pass gives fans the opportunity to secure their seats early and support the national team throughout their World Cup campaign on home soil.