Qatar welcomed some of football’s greatest as German champions, Bayern Munich visited Hamad International Airport for a special fan meet and greet event, as part of the unique partnership that pairs aviation’s newest, most advanced international hub with the Bundesliga’s most successful club ever.

Hamad International Airport arranged a unique opportunity for the fans of the team in Qatar to meet FC Bayern Munich players Xabi Alonso, Joshua Kimmich, David Alaba, and Juan Bernat at the state-of-the-art airport where 50 lucky fans were selected through online registration, giving them the chance to interact with their favourite players, get autographs, pictures and take home signed FC Bayern jerseys and other coveted merchandise.

At the end of the event, the players chose a lucky winner - via a draw - who was presented with a pair of flight tickets, to Munich, and watch a Bayern Munich match at the Allianz Arena with a friend.

The Bayern players’ arrived in Qatar for the 2017 Winter Training Camp, presented by Hamad International Airport. Their arrival in Doha marks almost a year since the airport was announced as an official platinum partner of the football club. As the country prepares to host FIFA World Cup 2022, this partnership is another key step for the State of Qatar towards achieving its national vision of establishing itself as a global leader in sports.

Engr. Badr Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at HIA-Qatar, said: “Twelve months ago, along with our partners from the club, HIA announced that we would be the official platinum partners of FC Bayern Munich. We were honoured to welcome the entire FC Bayern Munich team to Qatar and provide their fans in the country with an exclusive opportunity to meet their idols in person at our airport.

HIA offers a seamless and luxurious travel experience, while FC Bayern Munich inspires football fans and creates moments of exhilaration. Together, HIA and Bayern Munich is a pitch-perfect match.” 

Andreas Jung, Executive Board Member of Bayern Munich, said: “We are delighted to partner with HIA, and to bring some of our top players to the airport to meet fans. We hope the fans who engage with our players will be inspired by their talent and leadership so that we can create the next generation of sporting heroes.”

Opened in 2014, award-winning Hamad International Airport  is among the world’s most technologically advanced. Located conveniently within six hours of 80 percent of the world’s population, HIA is rapidly becoming a preferred global transfer hub.