A large public turnout and vibrant Ramadan atmosphere, the competitions of the Ramadan Sports Festival 2026, organized by Aspire Zone Foundation, officially kicked off on Sunday evening, February 22, 2026. the festival continues to cement its position as one of the most prominent sporting events during the holy month in Qatar.
The festival runs from February 22 to March 6, 2026, daily from 8:00 PM until midnight. It features a comprehensive program of tournaments and competitions hosted across the Foundation’s various venues, reflecting the growing sporting and community engagement witnessed at Aspire Zone year after year.
The event aligns with the Foundation’s strategy to promote physical activity and foster a healthy lifestyle during the holy month of Ramadan. It offers a comprehensive sporting experience that combines fair competition, community participation, and family engagement, in line with the Foundation’s sporting and humanitarian mission since its establishment.
The strong launch of the competitions highlighted the significant interest the event enjoys among both participants and spectators, driven by the diversity of tournaments and the wide range of targeted categories. The festival serves as an inclusive platform bringing together different segments of society.
Spanning 12 consecutive days, the festival features 11 sports and fitness events targeting men, women, youth, and persons with disabilities—reflecting its diversity and inclusivity across both competitive and community-based sports.
The program includes the “Embassies” and “Aspetar” football tournaments, men’s, women’s, and youth basketball competitions, table tennis for persons with disabilities, swimming competitions at the Hamad Aquatic Center, Aspire Academy’s beach volleyball tournament at the academy’s outdoor courts, the women’s padel tournament at Padel In courts, and the women’s futsal championship.
The festival program also features the Family Night Run, organized in cooperation with the Qatar Sports for All Federation at Aspire Park, adding a strong community dimension and reinforcing the concept of sport as a lifestyle that brings families together in a healthy and safe environment.
Diplomatic Competition on Aspire Grounds
The “Embassies” Football Tournament has attracted wide attention. Its matches are held at Pitch No. 5 from February 22 to March 6, with the participation of 24 teams divided into eight groups:
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Group A: South America, Tanzania, Senegal
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Group B: South Africa, Spain, Sultanate of Oman
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Group C: Chad, Jordan, Mali
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Group D: Finland, Algeria, India
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Group E: Syria, Ghana, Thailand
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Group F: Togo, Russia, Iraq
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Group G: Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia
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Group H: Iran, Egypt, Malaysia
The opening evening witnessed highly competitive performances and remarkable enthusiasm from participating teams, signaling the strength of this year’s edition.
Anticipated Matches on Day Two
Excitement continues on the second day with three key fixtures: Finland faces Algeria at 9:00 PM (Group D), followed by Syria vs. Ghana at 10:00 PM (Group E), and Togo vs. Russia at 11:00 PM (Group F).
The preliminary round will continue until March 1, with the Round of 16 scheduled for March 2 and 3, the quarterfinals on March 4, the semifinals on March 5, and the final on March 6 in a highly anticipated Ramadan evening for football fans.
The Ramadan Sports Festival goes beyond results and matches; it creates an integrated experience that blends sport, entertainment, and community interaction—demonstrating Aspire Zone Foundation’s success in transforming the holy month into a vibrant space of activity and engagement.
With the launch of its 12th edition under such strong public and organizational momentum, the festival appears firmly on its path to solidifying its legacy as one of Qatar’s leading Ramadan sporting events—where sporting spirit meets community values at their finest.
A Packed Calendar of Events
Aspire Zone Foundation has prepared a rich and diverse program covering various sports and interests. The Embassies Football Tournament runs from February 22 to March 6 at Pitch No. 5. The Aspetar Football Tournament begins on February 24 and continues until March 4 (with a break on March 3), while the Corporate Football Championship runs from February 25 to March 5.
In basketball, the men’s tournament takes place on February 22 and 23 at the Ladies Sports Hall, followed by the women’s tournament on February 24 and 25. Youth competitions run from February 26 to March 1. Swimming competitions are hosted at the Hamad Aquatic Center on February 26.
The Table Tennis Championship for Persons with Disabilities is scheduled for February 24, reaffirming the festival’s inclusive and community-oriented dimension.
The men’s hockey tournament runs from February 23 to 25, followed by the women’s hockey tournament from February 28 to March 2.
The Family Night Run will take place on February 25 at Aspire Park in collaboration with the Qatar Sports for All Federation. Aspire Academy’s Beach Volleyball Tournament will be held on February 27 and 28 at the academy’s outdoor beach courts.
The women’s padel tournament runs from February 28 to March 2, and the festival concludes with the Women’s Futsal Championship from March 4 to 6 at the Ladies Sports Hall—reflecting the richness of the program, the diversity of its activities, and the broad community participation in a distinctive sporting atmosphere.