Art Basel Announces the Launch of Art Basel Qatar
Olivia Feldheim
In a landmark partnership with Qatar Sports Investments and QC+, Art Basel is expanding into the Middle East. The new fair will debut in Doha, Qatar, strengthening cultural exchange across the gulf region and beyond.
Art Basel and MCH Group are pleased to announce Art Basel Qatar, a new fair for modern and contemporary art that will debut in February 2026 in Doha, in a strategic partnership with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and QC+.
The inaugural edition will take place at M7 creative hub and Doha Design District in downtown Msheireb, close to cultural landmarks including National Museum of Qatar. Art Basel Qatar is set to become an essential platform for showcasing artistic excellence in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and beyond, and will create an unparalleled opportunity for galleries, artists, collectors and cultural leaders from the region and across the globe.
This initiative builds on Qatar’s cultural vision under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the direction of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums. She says:
“As part of His Highness the Amir’s National Vision 2030, Qatar has been transforming itself into a knowledge-based economy, with culture and the creative industries helping to lead the way. […] We are pleased to welcome the Art Basel organisation as our partner to further elevate Qatar’s initiatives."
Art Basel Qatar will launch as a tightly curated fair, featuring a select group of leading galleries and artists. It aims to catalyse artistic dialogue, market development and public engagement through year-round programming. The initiative complements Qatar’s established efforts to assemble world-class art collections, to develop a growing list of celebrated museums and exhibitions, to found design and photography festivals and to establish incubators for the film, fashion and design industries. Ongoing initiatives include the creation of the future Art Mill Museum, development of the future Lusail Museum and the establishment of a permanent Qatar Pavilion in Venice in the Giardini de la Biennale di Venezia.
"We are committed to Art Basel’s growth and following the launch of Art Basel Paris in 2022 we are ready to add a fifth fair to our exclusive and successful portfolio."
Andrea Zappia, Chairman and Group CEO of MCH Group, said: “We are very proud to work with QSI and QC+. This is a groundbreaking project based on the unity of intent of ambitious organisations and we believe we will build something completely new that will attract art buyers and fans from the region and all over the world. We want to thank the partners who, under His Highness the Amir’s leadership, strongly believed in this collaboration from the very first day and have chosen Art Basel as a key driver to support Qatar’s cultural, sport and touristic vision. We are committed to Art Basel’s growth and following the launch of Art Basel Paris in 2022 we are ready to add a fifth fair to our exclusive and successful portfolio. MCH Group, owner of Art Basel, is committed to contributing unique resources and capabilities to this partnership to ensure its long-term success.”
With more than five decades of experience building globally recognized fairs, Art Basel is well positioned to support the region’s growing art ecosystem. The organization’s commitment to cultural partnerships, new audiences, and artist-driven programming aligns closely with Qatar’s ambitions.
"We are compelled by Her Excellency 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."
“Growing the global art market, supporting artists and galleries and developing new collecting audiences is core to Art Basel’s mission. […] We are compelled by Her Excellency 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. We are equally energised by the opportunities unlocked by our collaboration with QSI and QC+ to create new touchpoints for the broadest possible audiences. Qatar’s depth of collections, history of building great cultural institutions and unique role as an incubator and supporter of talent position the new Art Basel Qatar for success on the world stage,” said Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel.
Art Basel Qatar joins the brand’s global network of fairs in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong and Paris, marking a new chapter for Art Basel and the region’s cultural landscape.
