Fan Villages and Floating Hotels: Qatar's innovative plans for hosting millions of football fans

More than 1.2 million people from around the world are visiting Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, which kicked off on November 20. 

Providing accommodation for these fans initially presented a major logistical challenge, but one that the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) very quickly overcame and the authority responsible for organising the World Cup confirmed it had successfully met this challenge.

Accommodation options vary between hotel rooms varying from two to five stars, as well as floating hotels, apartments and residential villas all with easy access to stadiums and the main entertainment sites, with prices starting at $114 per night.

"Accommodation options vary between hotel rooms varying from two to five-stars, as well as floating hotels, apartments and residential villas all with easy access to stadiums and the main entertainment sites, with prices starting at $114 per night"

Floating hotels

Several cruise ships moored up in Doha to act as "floating hotels" for the duration of the tournament. One of these is the MSC World Europa, which is docked in Doha port and will serve as a five-star floating hotel, with 2,626 cabins – rooms for more than 6,700 fans. It has 33 dining establishments, bars, and lounges, each with a unique ambience and style and is anchored just a few minutes from attractions such as Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art.

Fan Villages

The fan villages were the brainchild of the SC and a response to the huge influx of football fans due to enter the country. These fan villages are situated in seven areas close to the stadiums and consist of temporary housing that will provide full amenities for fans.

One fan village is situated in Qetaifan Island North, next to Lusail City, and will include 1,800 luxury Bedouin tents to accommodate up to 3,600 people, with prices starting from $207 per night.

Camp guests have free access to the Qetaifan Beach Festival area, where concerts will take place throughout the tournament period, as well as water sports options along the beach.

Around 200 fully furnished tents are situated in the Al Khor Fan Village, close to the Al Bayt Stadium – where the opening match of the World Cup took place.

Facilities offered by the Fan Villages include games, swimming pools, shows and entertainment, as well as medical facilities and food outlets serving a wide range of cuisines from across the world. Thanks to the Al Khor Fan Village's location on the beach, fans will have the opportunity to enjoy nature, sand and the sea, for $424 per night.

Multiple options

There are three Fan Village Cabin sites; the "Free Zone", "Rawdat Al Jahhaniya", and "Zafaran". The modified cabins will provide various entertainment and dining options, making them an attractive choice of accommodation for soaking up the atmosphere of the World Cup, with prices per night starting around $207.

The most luxurious option is the Heenat Salma Farm fan village, where an overnight stay will cost around $2,000. With a focus on tranquillity and healthy living, the farm provides organic meals, craft classes, yoga sessions and other entertainment, and is located 17km from the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

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Caravan City is located in Al Messila offers fans a selection of accommodation options and is the cheapest of the fan villages, with prices starting at about $114 per night.

According to the SC website, fans who hold tickets for the tournament matches can choose accommodation in any of the mentioned fan villages, all of which can be reached by public transport or lift shares.

This is an edited and abridged translation from our Arabic edition with additional reporting. To read the original article click here.

Translated by Rose Chacko