DOHA, September 7, 2022 – Today, FIFA presented a reimagined fan destination and on-site entertainment experience for fans at future FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup events called the FIFA Fan Festival. Beginning with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, this multidimensional, inclusive event will provide new ways for fans to celebrate their shared passion for football and experience the best in music, entertainment, local culture, food, games and lifestyle trends in a true festival environment.
Formerly known as the FIFA Fan Fest, this one-stop destination for fans previously appeared at four editions of the FIFA World Cup – starting with the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany – and welcomed almost 40 million visitors across five continents. Following its debut in its new form in Qatar later this year, the FIFA Fan Festival will premiere at the FIFA Women’s World Cup at tournaments in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand in 2023.
“To support our mission to make football truly global, accessible and inclusive, we are thrilled to introduce a new vision for the entertainment experience surrounding future FIFA World Cup events,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “The FIFA Fan Festival provides an incredible opportunity for fans to come together beyond the stadiums and the on-pitch action and experience football in new and unique ways. We are truly excited about the future of the FIFA Fan Festival and the enhanced entertainment offerings that will bring fans and partners alike closer to both men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups, as well as global football culture.”
Reimagined FIFA Fan Festival to debut at Qatar 2022
The newly reimagined FIFA Fan Festival was designed to tap into the unique electricity felt around major FIFA competitions. It will give all types of fans – from avid supporters to casual football enthusiasts and lovers of music, food and culture – new ways to connect and engage with football in a fun, entertaining and festive atmosphere. FIFA will roll out the revamped FIFA Fan Festival at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, in close collaboration with the host country.
“There will be something for everyone at the Qatar 2022 FIFA Fan Festival at Al Bidda Park. With the stunning West Bay skyline as a backdrop, fans will enjoy live matches, a host of musical and cultural performances, and a vast range of food and beverage options,” added Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Secretary General and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC Chairman, H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi. “It will be the centrepiece of our FIFA World Cup – the first to be held in the Middle East and the Arab world. When fans arrive in November, they should expect a warm welcome, amazing football and a large number of entertainment options. We look forward to welcoming the world in just over 70 days.”
For the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the FIFA Fan Festival will be held at one central location at Al Bidda Park in Doha over the 29 days of the tournament (20 November – 18 December 2022). This go-to destination for fans on-site at Qatar 2022 will feature the following attractions:
- Live broadcasts of every match on giant screens, with views of Doha’s futuristic skyline in the background
- Concerts starring top global and local music acts and live works by internationally acclaimed performance artists
- A food court offering unique culinary experiences featuring local cuisine and international delicacies
- Unique football matches with FIFA Legends, in addition to interactive physical and digital football gaming stations for fans of all ages
- Innovative sponsor activations, as well as an official FIFA Store with licensed FIFA World Cup products
FIFA will also extend the reach of the event around the world by enabling fans to watch, experience and interact with content from the FIFA Fan Festival through the FIFA+ digital platform. Throughout Qatar 2022, fans will be able to access content from the FIFA Fan Festival by visiting the FIFA World Cup page on FIFA+.
FIFA Fan Festival in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
At the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, the FIFA Fan Festival will appear at all nine Host Cities across Australia (Adelaide/Tarntanya, Brisbane/Meaanjin, Melbourne/Naarm, Perth/Boorloo and Sydney/Gadigal) and Aotearoa New Zealand (Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, Dunedin/Ōtepoti, Hamilton/Kirikiriroa and Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara). To provide the best possible experience for visitors, the event at each venue will be tailored on the basis of the local climate, the matchday and kick-off times.
FIFA Fan Festival licensing model
In an effort to take the excitement of the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Fan Festival to fans around the world, FIFA is also creating a unique commercial licensing model that will allow new and existing stakeholders to stage satellite events in major cities across the globe.
Updates about licensing partners and International FIFA Fan Festival events planned for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 and beyond will be provided in the coming weeks.
For more information about the FIFA Fan Festival, visit FIFA+.
