Doha: 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 percent increase in overall attendance compared to the previous year, reflecting the festival’s growing regional and international appeal. International visitors accounting for 10 percent of total footfall. Qatari nationals recorded the highest attendance at 22.1 percent, while 32 percent 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 percent increase compared to the previous edition 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.
Attendance & Growth
- Total visitors: 490,493, marking a 36 % increase compared to the previous year.
- International visitors accounted for about 10 % of total attendance.
- Qatari nationals made up the largest share at 22.1 %.
- A significant 32 % of attendees were repeat visitors, highlighting strong engagement and loyalty.
Culinary Highlights
- Featuring 200 local vendors and 46 international vendors, showcasing both Qatar’s home-grown culinary talent and global flavours.
- More than 50 local and international chefs participated with live cooking demos, interactive workshops, and curated dining experiences.
Festival Awards & Recognition
The festival introduced QIFF Awards to recognise standout participants:
- Longest Line: Hookies Cookies
- Favourite Local Vendor: Ibis Doha
- Favourite International Vendor: 99 Grill
- Favourite Chef: Taco King
- Honorary Award: Shakarji, for its contribution to Qatar’s culinary scene.
Food Safety & Public Health Measures
The Ministry of Public Health intensified food safety oversight throughout the festival, conducting 800 inspection visits and testing 1,335 samples to ensure high standards of food safety across all participating kiosks and vendors.
Significance
QIFF 2026 further cemented its status as a flagship event on Qatar’s cultural and tourism calendar, offering a vibrant mix of food, culture, entertainment and community engagement for residents and visitors alike.
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.
Source: QNA / Visit Qatar
