Qatar Museum’s Opens 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum

April 1, 2022

Qatar Museums unveiled the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, during an official opening ceremony at Khalifa International Stadium.

Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, delivered remarks at the inauguration, which also included performances by the Qatari Philharmonic Orchestra and a children’s choir comprised of children from the Aspire Zone Foundation and local sports federations.

Among the 400 guests who attended the ceremony were H.H. Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, President of International Olympic Committee, Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, FIFA legends, and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Ambassadors.

3-2-1 is the newest member of the Olympic Museums Network and one of the world’s most innovative and technologically advanced museums dedicated to sports, offering an unforgettable and inspiring interactive journey through the history and legacy of sports around the globe and the Olympic Games. Through its interactive spaces and programming, 3-2-1 aims to inspire and engage its visitors and encourage the public to participate in sports and physical activity. Designed by Spanish architect Joan Sibina, the museum is approximately 19,000 square metres—making it one of the largest of its kind—and is built onto Khalifa International Stadium, part of Qatar’s Aspire Zone Foundation. The Stadium, originally constructed in 1976, will host FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ matches.

Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum Galleries

The Museum’s unique exhibits and remarkable collection present the role of sports as one of the most significant cultural developments, the history and contemporary significance of the Olympic Games, the stories of sporting heroes around the world, and the inspiring story of the development of sports in Qatar, and explore the massive impact of mega events hosted by Qatar in recent decades. The interactive experiences in 3-2-1’s “Activation Zone” promote sports across Qatar, inspire future talent, and encourage the adoption of healthy and active lifestyles for all. 3-2-1 comprises seven gallery spaces housing objects from around the globe, from the origins of sports to the present day.

The Museum is built onto the side of Khalifa International Stadium. The design by Spanish architect Joan Sibina comprises two buildings: a main structure that follows the arc of the Stadium, and an attached round access building inspired by the Olympic rings. Khalifa International Stadium is part of Aspire Zone, also known as Doha Sports City, a 250-hectare (2.5 km) sporting complex located in Baaya district of Doha that also includes the Aspire Academy for Qatar’s youth, Hamad Aquatic Centre, Aspire Tower and Doha’s largest park, Aspire Park.

Cafe at Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum — Cafe

The café and restaurant at 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum are operated by the JW Marriott with the menu concepts designed by Chef Consultant Tom Aikens, a UK-born Michelin-star chef and avid marathon runner. The 3-2-1 Café, located on the third floor of the Museum, offers visitors tasty, wholesome, freshly made food and drink options as well as takeaway offerings.

The restaurant, Naua, is located on the eighth floor of the Museum. Named after the Arabic word for nucleus of the seed, the restaurant promotes mindful, healthy eating. The menu offers refined dishes made from high-quality, seasonal ingredients. This casual fine-dining restaurant is set to become Doha’s premier destination for diners who seek the ultimate fusion of the healthy and the gourmet.

Gift Shop at 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum

The main gift shop, located on the Museum’s fifth floor, offers visitors a wide range of exclusive merchandise inspired by the legacy of sport and the Olympic Games. Visitors can browse and buy a wide range of sportswear and apparel that showcase the positive value of sport and its significance to sports culture within Qatar and beyond. From local football team kits to vintage Olympic poster prints, there is something for all ages to enjoy.

The museum has collaborated with the International Physical Literacy Association to develop a National Physical Literacy Journey aimed at encouraging the community to adopt a healthy lifestyle and engage in physical activities. 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum has partnered with Accessible Qatar, a Doha based advocacy group that supports promoting Qatar as an accessible destination, to ensure that its facilities are fully accessible.