Doha, Qatar, May 12, 2026: The 4th GCC Games Doha 2026 officially got underway on Monday, May 11, under the patronage 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 Organising Committee of the Games.
A distinguished opening ceremony at Al Shaqab in the Qatari capital was attended by a number of Their Highnesses and Excellencies, Ministers, President of the GCC National Olympic Committees, and senior sports officials, including HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee; HH 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; HH Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said, President of the Oman Olympic Committee; and Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, alongside a number of GCC sports leaders.
The Games, from May 11 – 22, will bring together 1,400 athletes and officials. A total of 17 sports will be staged in an edition that further reinforces Qatar’s established reputation as a safe, welcoming and world-class host nation.
Also attending the Opening Ceremony were H.E. Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, QOC Secretary General and Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Games; and Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, Director of the Sports Affairs Sector at the QOC and Director General of the Organising Committee.
The Games builds on the spirit of Gulf solidarity demonstrated during the recent Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026, where efforts led by Sheikh Joaan 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.
Sheikh Joaan said: “Doha is proud to host the 4th 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 from Asia came together in a remarkable celebration of sport and friendship.”
Sheikh Joaan added: “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.”
The 17 sports featured at Doha 2026 are: archery, athletics, basketball 3x3, billiards, boxing, bowling, equestrian, fencing, handball, karate, padel, table tennis, taekwondo, shooting, snooker, swimming and volleyball.
