DOHA (Qatar) – The National Archives of Qatar and the FIBA Foundation officially inaugurated the Beyond the Court: The History and Global Legacy of Basketball exhibition on 27 August 2026 at Katara Cultural Village. This event marks a major milestone in the countdown to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, which will be held in Doha, Qatar, one year from now.
Presented as part of the cultural celebrations surrounding the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, the exhibition invites visitors to discover how basketball became a powerful global movement, promoting teamwork, inclusion, friendship and unity both on and off the court.
From its invention by Dr. James Naismith in 1891 to the present day, basketball has evolved from a simple gym game into one of the most popular and influential sports in the world. Today, more than 610 million people play basketball globally, making it a universal language that transcends borders, cultures, and generations.
Located in Building 46 at Katara Cultural Village, Doha's leading cultural destination, the experience offers an immersive journey through more than 130 years of basketball history.
Through iconic objects, historic documents, photographs, audiovisual content, memorabilia, and interactive activities, visitors can dive into the origins of the game, its rapid international spread, the creation of FIBA, and the development of basketball into a truly global sport.
One of the exhibition's central narratives follows the history of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, from the inaugural tournament in Argentina in 1950 to the most recent edition in 2023. It traces the competition's evolution and highlights the key moments and developments that have shaped the world's premier basketball event.
A dedicated section, Road to Qatar, highlights the journey that has brought the FIBA Basketball World Cup to the Middle East for the first time, showcasing Qatar's growing contribution to the development of basketball in the region and its preparations to host the world in 2027.
Beyond its sporting dimension, the exhibition explores basketball as a cultural and social phenomenon. Visitors can discover how the game has inspired creativity and human connection through art, photography, literature, music, fashion, film and community initiatives. Beyond the Court: The History and Global Legacy of Basketball demonstrates that basketball's influence extends far beyond the court, shaping identities, communities and cultures around the globe.
“This exhibition comes as part of Qatar’s preparations to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 and reflects the collaboration between the National Archives of Qatar and the FIBA Foundation in preserving the heritage of the game. Beyond the Court tells the story of basketball in Qatar within the global journey of the sport, and we invite the public to discover it over the seven months ahead,” said Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al-Buenain, Secretary-General of the National Archives of Qatar and Director-General of the Local Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.
"The inauguration of the exhibition marks an important moment in our journey towards the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, celebrating not only the history of basketball but also its unique ability to connect people and cultures around the world," expressed Predrag Bogosavljev, Director of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027. "One year from tip-off, we are grateful to the National Archives of Qatar for helping showcase the power of basketball far beyond the court and for building excitement for what promises to be a truly special World Cup."
The exhibition is free to the public and will offer a wide range of activities designed to make basketball history accessible and engaging for all audiences.
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About the FIBA Foundation
The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports, particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
FIBA’s cultural heritage is the heart of the FIBA Foundation’s cultural and historical activities. It is one of the driving forces behind the promotion and dissemination of FIBA’s values.