Qatar unveils 6000 cabin World Cup fan village near airport

A 6,000-cabin fan village has been launched by Qatar in a remote area close to its airports as a lower-cost housing option for the upcoming World Cup, which will begin in a few days.

On Wednesday, desert winds drove up sand at the 3.1-square-kilometer (1.1-square-mile) site, which held a metro station, a bus stop, and a proposed temporary restaurant and convenience store. Officials estimated the area could hold up to 12,000 people if fully booked.

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The exterior walls were lined with artificial green grass, and the common spaces were populated with enormous bean-bag-style chairs beneath a gloomy sky. Flags of competing nations fluttered in the strong desert wind, and there was also a big screen for spectators to watch the games on.

As the tournament progresses, each will cost roughly $200 per night — $270 with board — on average. According to Omar al-Jaber, who oversees lodging for the tournament’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy in Qatar, almost 60% of the cabins are already reserved.

Other lodging options at a distance from this location near the airports of Doha and Hamad, both of which will have flights throughout the time of the tournament, will be available for $80 a night. Those staying at the Fan Village can expect a 40-minute commute to stadium sites.

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Al-Jaber said that these alternatives are run by the French hospitality business Accor. “Most of the fan(s) they prefer if it’s not a hotel, they prefer the apartment and villa,” he stated. However, he continued, individuals seeking affordable lodging will visit this site and the other for more affordable possibilities.

Concerns regarding hotel room availability and excessive room rates have followed Qatar in the run-up to the World Cup, where there is not enough hotel accommodation for all of the players, staff, volunteers, and supporters. Doha has responded by building camping and cabin facilities, renting cruise ships, and enticing fans to fly in from nearby nations to attend games. For the tournament, Qatar has predicted that it will have 130,000 rooms each day.

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