Seven things to do in Qatar this weekend (March 22-25)

From a World Cup qualifier match to concerts to a gymnastics competition and a spring fair, there’s lots going on around Qatar over the next few days.

Here are our picks:

Qatar vs. Iran

The highly-anticipated 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Asian Qualifiers match between Qatar and Iran is tomorrow (March 23) at 7pm at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Al Sadd Sports Club).

Match tickets will only be sold at the venue itself and go on sale starting tomorrow at 4pm. They cost QR50 for category 1 and 2 tickets, and QR100/each for VIP.

The ticket booth will be located near the VIP and general spectators’ parking outside the general spectators’ entrance.

Access to the VIP section will be through gates 1 and 10. Qatar fans can enter from gates 4 to 9, while Iran fans can enter through gate 2. A dedicated family section is also available that can be accessed through gate 3.

The venue gates will open at 4pm and stadium gates will open at 5pm. A Fan Zone will also be located near the general spectators’ parking and will open its doors to the public from 4pm to 6:30pm.

Artistic Gymnastics

The 10th Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series will kick off in Doha today, March 22, and run until Saturday, March 25.

The international event has attracted more than 120 gymnasts from some 30 countries to compete for US$50,000 in prize money.

The competitions are taking place at the Aspire Dome and run from 4:30pm to 7:30pm on all days.

Tickets can be purchased online and are free during today and and Thursday’s qualifying events. Prices on Friday and Saturday range from QR30 to QR100 per person. Children under the age of six years old are free.

Visit Doha Gym’s website for more information.

MotoGP Grand Prix of Qatar

The highly anticipated 2017 MotoGP Championships will hold its first grand prix of the season this weekend at the Losail International Circuit.

The event starts on Thursday, March 23 and runs until Sunday, March 26.

Riders across the three motor racing classes (Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP) will all take part in various events held over the four-day long prix, with finals slated for 6pm, 7:20pm, and 9pm respectively on March 26. A more detailed schedule can be found here.

Regular grandstand tickets for the weekend cost QR200/person.

VIP village tickets that grant attendees access to a hospitality area above the pit garages, a gourmet dinner, a paddock tour and a pit lane walk cost QR2,550 for one day and QR3,250 for two days. All tickets can be purchased online.

Esrar Race

Qatar’s first obstacle race, which has so far attracted over 500 participants, will take place at Aspire Park this Saturday, March 25 starting at 7am.

The race will feature Qatar’s Olympics champion Mutaz Barshim and include more than ten custom-built obstacles ranging from monkey bars, high wall jumps (6 and 8ft), high wall climbs, sandbag lifting, a vertical cargo net, and a balance beam, among others.

The race is open to women and men who are 18 years and older. A registration fee of QR365 is required and can be paid online.

Les Portageux concert

French-Canadian folk band Les Portageux will be performing in town this Friday at Katara’s Drama Theater in Building 16.

Hailing from Quebec, the band name was chosen as a tribute to the lumberjacks who risked their lives chopping wood and floating timber on dangerous rivers.

Using various instruments including the banjo, guitar and violin, the band aims to recreate music from before radio and television, when people came together to sing in the evenings.

The concert will run from 7pm to 8:30pm and is free and open to all. However, registration is required and can be done here. Children below 10 years old will not be allowed entry.

Caribbean concert

In the mood for some Caribbean music? Head over to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Doha this weekend a Caribbean concert hosted as part of the Voyage en Francophonie.