The State Sports Day activities will kick off the day after tomorrow, Tuesday, with participation from all segments of society, as part of Qatar’s pioneering initiative dedicating a national sports day. The event aims to establish sports as a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

These activities are held in line with the Amiri decree issued in 2011, which designated the second Tuesday of February each year as State Sports Day to encourage and promote a healthy lifestyle. This day is considered a paid public holiday.

On this day, public parks, sports fields, and beaches across Qatar transform into large open arenas, hosting hundreds of free sports activities including walking, running, team games, fitness sessions, and more, aiming to promote a healthy lifestyle for all.

Government ministries, public institutions, and private sector companies also organize sporting activities for their employees and the general public. Events range from football, basketball, tennis, and taekwondo to cycling, swimming, and various free sports activities and recreational competitions accessible to everyone.

The State Sports Day provides an opportunity to bring communities together through sports, promoting values such as teamwork, unity, inclusion, participation, and physical fitness. Some entities also organize events specifically for people with disabilities and seniors.

The State Sports Day Committee 2026 announced that this year’s edition will run under the slogan “I Chose Sports”, aiming to reinforce awareness about the importance of practicing sports as a sustainable approach to health and lifestyle.

This year’s program includes a variety of sporting, recreational, and cultural activities organized by both public and private entities, held across parks and sports facilities throughout the country. Events are distributed across different regions to ensure all segments of society can participate.

The Qatar Sports for All Federation also unveiled its 2026 calendar, featuring more than 800 community sports events.

During a press conference, Mr. Abdullah Al Dosari, Executive Director of the Federation, reviewed key achievements of 2025, noting that the Federation organized numerous community sports activities with participation from children, youth, women, and seniors, totaling 215,506 participants. Activities took place across the country—from north to south, central Doha, and western areas such as Dukhan and Al Jameeliya, as well as public parks, youth centers, and sports clubs.

The “365 Days of Activity” program saw 35,000 participants take part in 1,460 sports sessions supervised by 36 qualified coaches.

On the Al Furjan football fields, 58,751 participants were registered across 16 venues, while 13,800 peopleparticipated in walking and running activities on these fields. School sports events recorded 22,259 participants, and community sports activities grew to 40,593 participants across more than 52 locations.

Sports competitions attracted 6,984 participants, and community running events reached 38,696 participants, with 8,000 women taking part in 59 races throughout the year. School sports activities were also diverse, with 91 events held in 60 schools, and 74 sports championships saw 6,984 participants compete across various disciplines.