Art Basel, one of the world’s premier contemporary art fairs, is coming to Qatar in 2026.

Founded 55 years ago in Basel, Switzerland, the capital joins existing venues Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong and Paris as only the fifth edition of the event worldwide and the first in the Gulf.

The development comes as the result of a partnership between Art Basel, together with its parent company MCH Group, and leading Qatari organisations Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and QC+.

Debuting in Doha in February 2026, Art Basel Qatar will offer an unparalleled platform to showcase leading galleries and artistic talent from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and further afield. The inaugural edition will be held at M7 creative hub and the Doha Design District in downtown Msheireb.

The partnership builds on Qatar’s cultural vision and amplifies Art Basel’s unifying power to create new opportunities for the production, dissemination and discovery of art.

The fair will launch as a tightly curated showcase featuring a select group of leading galleries and artists, designed to respond to today’s market while laying the foundation for growth.

Through educational programming and market development strategies, public arts engagement and more, Art Basel Qatar will holistically weave into the fabric of the country and further catalyse a growing collector and gallery network.

His Excellency Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman of Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), said: “As a leading investor in sports, culture, entertainment and lifestyle, QSI is very proud and excited to play a role in bringing the world-renowned Art Basel fair to Qatar and our region as part of the legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. As that event demonstrated so unforgettably, sports and culture are closely linked in their capacity to unite people and bring the world together, which is at the heart of QSI’s mission. We are delighted to work with QC+ and to welcome Art Basel to Qatar—a partnership that will inspire the region and bring further investment to a great cultural organisation.”

Art Basel brings to this project its 50-year history of creating the world’s leading art fairs in Europe, the Americas and Asia. Defined by its host city and region, each Art Basel show is unique, as reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented and the parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions.

Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, said: “Growing the global art market, supporting artists and galleries and developing new collecting audiences is core to Art Basel’s mission. The art scene across the MENA region has undergone exponential growth in recent decades, with the establishment of world-class institutions, the launch of leading cultural events and the growth of a vibrant community of artists, galleries and professionals. We are compelled by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s singular vision for the arts ecosystem in Qatar, and we share a commitment to supporting artists in realising their highest potential.” ✤

GO: VISIT WWW.ARTBASEL.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.