Qatar announces additional 30,000 rooms for World Cup visitors

An additional 30,000 rooms have been made available to World Cup visitors as Qatar prepares to stage 64 matches at eight state-of-the-art stadiums for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, organizers announced Monday (Oct. 17) at a press conference in Doha.

Ticket sales for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – the first edition of the tournament in the Middle East and Arab world – are approaching three million. The event will get underway at Al Bayt Stadium on Nov. 20.

The biggest variety of accommodation is available from the Qatar Accommodation Agency.

Rooms can be booked from $80 per person, per night based on two-person occupancy. Accommodation options include hotels, apartments and fan villages.

"We have always said that Qatar will deliver the best ever edition of the FIFA World Cup. And as you look around the country today, at the state-of-the-art stadiums, the training pitches, the metro, the wider infrastructure, everything is ready and everyone is welcome," said FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, during a video message. 

"The world is excited. Qatar is ready. The stage is set. Together, we will deliver the best World Cup ever on and off the field."

Organizers said 2.89 million tickets had been sold for the 64 matches to be staged in eight state-of-the-art stadiums.

Demand has been highest among fans based in Qatar, the United States, Saudi Arabia, England, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, France, Brazil and Germany.

Tickets for all matches will continue to be released between now and the end of the tournament, with fans encouraged to keep checking FIFA.com/tickets for the latest inventory.

From this week, ticket holders will receive an email with information on how to download the ticketing app and retrieve their mobile tickets.

Tournament organizers reminded fans to apply for the mandatory Hayya Card and book their accommodation as soon as possible.

The Hayya Card will act as an entry permit for international fans. It will also provide free public transport across the country and allow access to stadiums for fans with a valid match ticket.

Organizers also outlined the vast array of entertainment options being prepared for visitors during the tournament.

The FIFA Fan Festival at Al Bidda Park will host up to 40,000 fans every day during the tournament. It will be free to attend and screen live matches, host globally-renowned artists and feature football activities.

There will also be a range of local and international food and beverage options.

In addition, the 6 km Corniche Activation from Sheraton Park to the Museum of Islamic Art will feature roving performances, retail stores and food and beverage kiosks.

Other activities will include the daily 'Welcome to Qatar' show – a water and pyrotechnics display that will feature music from the Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack, Qatari composer Wael Binali and the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.

Theme park rides and other attractions at Al Maha Island Lusail will also be open to fans, as will the Ras Abu Aboud 974 Beach Club, the Hayya Fan Zone at Lusail South Promenade and the QetaiFAN Beach Fest.

Dance music fans will flock to the 15,000-capacity Arcadia Spectacular and 5,000-capacity ARAVIA by MDL BEAST.

In addition, Last-Mile Cultural Activations will feature more than 6,000 performances in 21 locations, entertaining fans on their way to stadiums.

For more info, click here. 

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.