The stadium gates open at 15:00 to allow spectators to arrive at leisure and soak up the atmosphere as excitement builds. There is plenty of free parking areas (1 and 2) outside the stadium with buses provided by DAGOC to take you to the gates from the furthest car parks.
Allow time to get from your vehicle to the bus. Traffic police will be on hand to direct the arriving cars, but watch out for the many roads that are closed off to make pedestrian access easier.
There are some things that you are not allowed to bring into the Opening Ceremony, and to save time at the security checks, make sure that you comply with these requirements, but simple prohibitions are: Only one bag per spectator, no animals except guide dogs, no banners or flags bigger than 1.5m x 1.5m, no food or beverages except those required for children or for medical reasons, no pushchairs in seating areas.
You can - and please do - bring cameras, movie cameras and mobile phones with cameras to record the events of the evening as they unfold. Umbrellas are also permitted.
Early arrivals will enjoy special entertainment that will begin before the show and run through until the beginning of the Closing Ceremony when everyone will have to be seated. The Ceremony begins at 20:00, with gates closing at 19:00.
Leaving the stadium
While arriving at Khalifa Stadium can be phased to make the most of the time and space available, everyone will want to leave shortly after the final firework has faded into the night sky and the echoes of the last cheer fades away across Doha.
If you are in the stadium, please leave with patience and forbearance, stay a while to savour the last moments and let the crowd disperse. When you do reach your car, drive with safety and sense, and follow the instructions of the Traffic Police.
Whatever you do, enjoy every moment and file the memories away to recount to family and friends in the years to come.
15th Asian Games, Doha 2006
Posted December 17th, 2006 by COBA
