Doha: HE Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani, Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organising Committee, has confirmed that Web Summit Qatar 2026 is operationally ready. Ticket sales have surpassed the planned capacity, with more than 30,000 attendees, and the final figure will be announced soon.
According to Qatar News Agency, the announcement was made during a press conference held in partnership with Web Summit. The event was attended by HE Sheikh Jassim and Paddy Cosgrave, Founder and CEO of Web Summit, along with representatives from local, regional, and international media. HE Sheikh Jassim emphasized the summit's role as a strategic meeting point for global innovation leaders, investors, and decision-makers and highlighted its rapid growth in the region.
The GCO and Web Summit discussed the key themes of the third edition of the summit, noting its progress in scale, global participation, and content. The press conference reviewed the economic impact of the previous edition and underscored the summit's role in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship while reinforcing Qatar's position as a regional technology and digital economy center.
The summit features over 400 speakers, including prominent figures such as HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. A significant emphasis is placed on startups, with over 1,600 participating, marking the largest startup gathering at a single conference in the region.
Sheikh Jassim highlighted the growth of international partnerships, with major companies like Meta and Google participating for the first time. The summit includes participation from nearly 40 countries, with first-time delegations from Switzerland and other global regions, reflecting its expanding international footprint.
He also affirmed Qatar's successful strategic partnership with Web Summit, noting the summit's positive regional and global response. Sheikh Jassim addressed the summit's economic impact, pointing to increased tourism, hotel stays, and visitor numbers as evidence of its contribution to the national economy and private sector support.
Paddy Cosgrave noted that Web Summit Qatar 2026 is the largest edition yet, exceeding initial expectations with over 30,000 participants and significant global representation. He praised the GCO for creating an engaging platform that blends professional sessions with social events.
The summit's strong partner engagement includes over 180 local and international partners such as the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Qatar Investment Authority, and leading global companies like Google and Meta. This participation enriches the summit's content and supports knowledge exchange and partnerships.
The press conference concluded by emphasizing Web Summit Qatar 2026's role in positioning the country as a global hub for technology and innovation, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030, and fostering international collaboration and entrepreneurship.