Al Janoub Stadium converts from football to basketball arena

The Al Janoub Stadium in Doha, originally designed by the late Zaha Hadid, is transitioning from a football venue to a basketball arena. The facility, inspired by traditional dhow boats, has been converted into a modern indoor basketball court with a capacity of 8,200 spectators.

This transformation marks a significant milestone as the stadium will become the first venue to have hosted both FIFA World Cup matches and FIBA Basketball World Cup games. It is set to serve as one of the four primary arenas for the 2027 Basketball World Cup.

The venue begins this new chapter on August 27, hosting a match between Qatar and China as part of the second phase of the Asian qualifiers. This event serves as a critical test for coach Hamdan Al Demir’s team and provides a preview of the atmosphere for the upcoming global tournament.