3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM) is pleased to announce the opening of Esports | A Game Changer, a groundbreaking exhibition about the changing landscape of competitive gaming.
Originally presented in Paris in 2024 during the Summer Olympic Games and as a legacy program of Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture, the exhibition is on view in Doha, Qatar from 26 September 2025 to 30 April 2026. Esports | A Game Changer delves into gaming’s emergence as a cultural, economic, and social force with more than 3.2 billion players worldwide and a market value exceeding $184.4 billion. The exhibition also includes the history of esports, or electronic sports, in addition to its socio-cultural context, the logistical and financial aspects behind it, and the future of the movement.
Marking the significance of the occasion, Qatar Museums’ CEO, Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi, attended the VIP opening of the Esports exhibition.
His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Thani, President of QOSM, said "Esports has quickly grown from a niche interest into a widely followed and hugely important part of the athletic arena. Cementing Qatar’s role as a hub for innovation, youth engagement, and contemporary culture, this exhibition is sure to attract a new generation of athletes and audiences. We are pleased to present this unique exhibition, which is conceived, researched, produced, designed, and set up by Qatar Museums and 321 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.”
The exhibition traces the evolution of competitive gaming, from the early days of arcade games to global stadium tournaments streamed for millions. The exhibition features historical artifacts, interactive installations, and digital kiosks. It will also explore the social, psychological, and economic dimensions of gaming, offering visitors a comprehensive look at how gaming is shaping new narratives of identity, belonging, and competition.
Mr Abdulla Yousuf Al Mulla Director of QOSM said, “As the first exhibition of its kind, Esports | A Game Changer aligns with Qatar Museums’ broader mandate to bridge heritage and innovation, while speaking directly to the next generation of cultural participants through relevant, future-focused content. Through this exhibition, we invite audiences to engage with cultural content that speaks to their realities."
Esports | A Game Changer is curated by Dr. Christian Wacker, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs in QOSM, along with esports industry leaders Benjamin Buchtala and Jannik Rädisch. It was first presented in Paris during the 2024 Summer Olympics as part of Qatar Museums’ summer programme celebrating the legacy of Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture.
The exhibition at the 321 QOSM will be accompanied by a series of local and international online gaming tournaments to actively target diverse audiences. A major highlight of the program will be the academic conference titled “Esports and Sports – A Complex Relation” scheduled for next year, aiming to explore the evolving intersection between traditional and digital athleticism.
Esports | A Game Changer is presented as part of Evolution Nation, an 18-month campaign honouring Qatar’s cultural journey over the past 50 years, since the founding of the National Museum of Qatar. Curated by Qatar Creates, the national movement positioning Qatar as a global hub for art, culture, and creativity, Evolution Nation highlights both the nation’s cultural milestones and its aspirations for the future. For more information, please visit https://321qosm.org.qa/en/
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About Qatar Museums
Now marking its 20th anniversary, Qatar Museums (QM), the nation's preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves, restores, and expands the nation's cultural offerings and historical sites, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, educate and encourage environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, and amplify the voices of Qatar's people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. Future museums include Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar, Qatar Auto Museum, Art Mill Museum and the Lusail Museum.
Through its newly created Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival and the creative hub for innovation, fashion and design M7—that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.
Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention.
About 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum
The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum is Qatar's Museum of sports history, offering an unforgettable and inspiring interactive journey through the history and legacy of sports and the Olympic Games. The Museum delivers a multi-layered educational narrative that combines a comprehensive collection with state- of-the-art technology and documents the significance of sports in Qatar. One of the largest Olympic Museums in the world, 3-2-1, comprises 19,000 square metres of gallery space housing hundreds of objects from around the globe, from the origins of sports to the modern day. Through its participatory spaces and planned programming, the Museum aims to inspire and engage its community and encourage the public to participate in sports and physical activity. The Museum is located at Khalifa International Stadium, part of Qatar's Aspire Zone Foundation. The Stadium, originally built in 1976, hosted the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Abdulla Yousuf Al Mulla has served as a director since 2019.
About Qatar Creates
Qatar Creates is a transformative cultural movement that connects communities and inspires new possibilities through shared experiences. More than a platform, it unites exhibitions, performances, festivals, and creative programs spanning museums, design, fashion, film, hospitality, the arts, and sports.
Stemming from the belief that culture is infrastructure and not entertainment, Qatar Creates launched Qatar Creates Membership program, the ultimate invitation to step into a living cultural movement - one built on access, connection, and shared experience that bring together artists, families, students, professionals, and patrons.
Unlike most cultural memberships, Qatar Creates Membership is the first of its kind: a unified, comprehensive membership program that connects you to the entire country’s cultural life. From world-class museums and performances to festivals, talks, and exclusive moments behind the scenes, the Membership offers year-round access, priority booking, and curated benefits across Qatar Museums and a growing network of national partners.
By fostering collaboration and amplifying diverse voices, Qatar Creates positions Qatar as a global hub for cultural dialogue and innovation - turning culture into a catalyst for connection, curiosity, and creativity. It’s about how you belong - to a movement shaping Qatar’s future as a global cultural capital. Learn more at qacreates.com
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