DUBAI: Art Basel is set to launch a new edition of its globally renowned fair in Qatar, scheduled for February 2026 in Doha.
Announced on Tuesday, the inaugural Art Basel Qatar is a joint partnership between the organization’s parent company MCH Group, Qatar Sports Investments, and QC+, a cultural commerce collective.
The fair will be held at M7 and the Doha Design District in Msheireb, at the heart of the city’s creative quarter.
It promises a tightly curated showcase of leading modern and contemporary art galleries, spotlighting talent from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and beyond.
The initiative builds on Qatar’s long-term cultural vision, championed by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, chairperson of Qatar Museums.
“We have built a thriving ecosystem of culture and sports … and are pleased to welcome the Art Basel organization as our partner,” she said.
The project follows Qatar’s successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup and aims to further position the nation as a hub for arts, sports, and tourism.
QSI’s Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi called the partnership “part of the legacy” of the World Cup and a new chapter in QSI’s investment in culture.
Art Basel CEO Noah Horowitz said the initiative “supports artists and galleries and develops new collecting audiences,” while MCH Group CEO Andrea Zappia added that it “will attract art buyers and fans from the region and all over the world.”
Art Basel Qatar will be the fifth fair in the Art Basel portfolio, joining editions in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris.
