Qatar Secures 2030 Asian Games Hosting and Confirms 2026 Formula 1 Races Amid Regional Tensions

At the closing ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan, the Olympic Council of Asia flag was handed to Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on 4 Oct., 2026. The handover, conducted by OCA President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, marks the start of a four-year countdown to Doha 2030. Qatar previously hosted the Games in 2006. The new branding, “The Games We Live For,” was unveiled alongside the flag transfer.

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The 2026 Asian Games concluded with roughly 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions competing in 43 sports. China topped the medal table with 169 gold medals and 341 total medals, while host Japan earned 83 golds. In parallel, Formula 1 confirmed that its final two races of the 2026 season will proceed in the Gulf: the Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for 29 Nov. and the season finale in Abu Dhabi for 6 Dec. despite ongoing Middle-East tensions that have already forced cancellations and relocations of other regional events.

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Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali reiterated that the calendar remains unchanged, noting that teams and drivers are being kept informed of security developments.

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• “Based on the information we have, everything is confirmed for Qatar and Abu Dhabi,” — Stefano Domenicali, CEO

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