Custom flying figures at the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 opening, Qatar
DRONICO’s glowing phoenixes flew at the opening ceremony of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. The ceremony was produced by Katara Studios.
The event
The 11th edition of the FIFA Arab Cup opened on 1 December 2025 and brought together 16 national teams, with the final played on 18 December at Lusail Stadium. The opening match was held at Al Bayt Stadium in front of a full house of about 70,000 spectators, and was attended by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar.
The ceremony itself ran for about fifteen minutes and was built as a three-chapter narrative told through music, choreography and large-scale visual storytelling, with narration by the Syrian actor Rashid Assaf.
Our part
Within that larger narrative our Fire Phoenixes were integrated into the storyline and moved in complete harmony with the atmosphere of the arena. The opening unfolded as a powerful visual flow: precise, rhythmic, built from light, music and movement.
For us it was an opportunity to work alongside some of the strongest teams in the industry and to contribute to an event that sets a new benchmark for opening ceremonies.
- Format: custom radio-controlled flying figures
- Where: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar
- When: 1 December 2025
Our custom flying figures at other events
- Fire Phoenix – the aircraft model that can carry pyrotechnic modules igniting in flight
- an aircraft for the ICAO Gala Dinner at FALC 2025 in Doha, marking the 80th anniversary of the organization
- a life-size scale model of an Airbus A320 in the livery of a concert’s title sponsor
- the world’s first flying drone ship, built for a rock musical on ice
- whale sharks for a Qatar Tourism campaign in Doha
- toucans above the stage at The Miami Show in Kuwait
- basketballs at the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Doha
- custom butterflies that move among the guests indoors
