Photo by Rajan Vadakkemuriyil / The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: The 15th edition of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) has successfully concluded, welcoming 490,493 visitors over 10 days at the 974 Stadium Precinct, marking the most attended edition in the festival’s history. Organised by Visit Qatar, the milestone edition reinforced QIFF’s status as one of Qatar’s flagship cultural and culinary events, bringing together residents and visitors for an immersive celebration of food, culture, and entertainment.
This year’s edition recorded a 36% increase in overall attendance compared to the previous year, reflecting the festival’s growing regional and international appeal.
International visitors account for 10% of total footfall. Qatari nationals recorded the highest attendance at 22.1%, while 32% of visitors returned for repeat visits, highlighting strong audience loyalty and sustained engagement.
QIFF 2026 featured 200 local vendors, showcasing the strength and diversity of Qatar’s home-grown culinary scene, alongside 46 international vendors, representing a 43% increase over the previous edition and introducing global flavours and concepts to the festival grounds.
The programme was further enriched by the participation of more than 50 local and international chefs, who led live cooking demonstrations, interactive workshops, and exclusive dining experiences.
Introduced for the first time this year, QIFF 2026 also unveiled the QIFF Awards, a new initiative celebrating standout participants across the festival.
The awards recognised excellence and audience favourites across key categories, reflecting the festival’s emphasis on quality, creativity, and visitor engagement.
Hookies Cookies received the award for Longest Line, Ibis Doha was voted Favourite Local Vendor, 99 Grill was named Favourite International Vendor, while Taco King was awarded Favourite Chef. An Honorary Award was presented to Shakarji in recognition of its contribution to the festival and Qatar’s culinary scene.
Ahmed Hamad Al Binali, Director of Festivals and Events at Visit Qatar, commented: “The 15th edition of Qatar International Food Festival marks a defining milestone in the festival’s journey. Welcoming nearly half a million visitors at the 974 Stadium Precinct reflects both the scale of this year’s programme and the strong connection QIFF has built with its audiences over time. This edition successfully elevated the festival experience through expanded participation, innovative activations, and a vibrant showcase of local and international culinary talent. We are proud of what QIFF has achieved and remain committed to further developing world-class festivals that enrich Qatar’s cultural calendar and visitor offering.”
With record-breaking attendance, expanded international participation, and a diverse programme of culinary, cultural, and entertainment experiences, QIFF 2026 has further cemented its position as a cornerstone event within Qatar’s annual events calendar, delivering a memorable milestone edition for visitors from across Qatar and around the world, as anticipation builds for its return next year.
