DOHA, Qatar - Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is pleased to unite two football giants – Europe’s FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi FC – for a friendly match in Doha.
The football giants, both sponsored by Qatar Airways, will play a friendly match in Thani Bin Jassim Stadium (Al-Gharrafa Stadium) on Tuesday, 13 December, 2016. The announcement is certain to draw legions of fans from both clubs, especially from nearby Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-based Al-Ahli club, who are eager to witness this unique match of champions as east and west come together in a celebration of football.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “We are proud to bring together two champions of football to play in Doha, to showcase not only their athletic excellence but also Doha’s extraordinary sports infrastructure. Qatar Airways recognises the unifying power of sport, bringing people from around the world together in common purpose. Through our continued sponsorship of FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi FC we are proud to be a part of their great success stories.
“Our relationship with FC Barcelona began in 2013, and since then we have doubled the frequency of our flights to Barcelona and Madrid. During our Al-Ahli sponsorship, we have increased our services to Jeddah and Madinah. Fans of both teams can travel to Doha for the match in December, or travel directly to the clubs’ home ground for matches, with more flight options making their journeys easier.”
Qatar Airways encourages football fans to stay tuned to its social media channels for information on how to buy tickets.
This year, Al-Ahli won the Saudi Professional League - the first time in 32 years. The club won the Saudi Super Cup and the King Cup, and came runner-up in the Crown Prince Cup. Meanwhile, FC Barcelona won their 23rd La Liga title this year, the Copa del Rey and they are the reigning champions of the Fifa Club World Cup. The club won the treble in the 2014/2015 season - La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League titles.
In October 2014, Qatar Airways announced a sponsorship agreement for three seasons with Al-Ahli. Earlier this year, Qatar Airways extended its FC Barcelona sponsorship for another season, with the deal running until July 2017.
Qatar Airways operates 14 weekly non-stop flights from Barcelona to Doha, with connections to points across the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa.
Notes to Editors:
For images please visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/qatarairways/albums/72157675352785886
About Qatar Airways:
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 19th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 190 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was awarded World's Best Business Class; Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East at the prestigious 2016 World Airline Awards managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.
Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ inflight entertainment system offers passengers up to 3,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 as well as select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways is one of the world’s leaders in sponsoring global sporting events, including the strategic team sponsorships of FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia FC. Qatar Airways’ strategy reflects the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message - Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest cargo carrier, serves more than 50 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally on 190 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet now includes eight Airbus 330Fs, 11 Boeing 777 freighters and two Boeing 747 freighters.
For further information contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200, Fax: +974 40225350
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Visit our homepage www.qatarairways.com or our sites on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and YouTube.
For Qatar Airways corporate images, please click here: http://www.qatarairways.com/corporateimages