Doha has been named as the host city of the 2030 Asian Games.

It means the flagship sporting event will return to Qatar's capital, 24 years after it previously held the Asian Games in 2006.

The Doha bid for the Games was successful against sole rival Riyadh at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly held in Muscat in Oman in December 2020.

Doha gained 27 votes compared to Riyadh's 10, with eight abstentions.

Doha will host the 2030 Asian Games, with the event returning to Qatar for the second time ©OCA
Doha will host the 2030 Asian Games, with the event returning to Qatar for the second time ©OCA

Due to an agreement reached before the vote, Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh was awarded the 2034 Asian Games instead.

The Asian Games will continue Qatar's reputation of hosting major sporting events.

The country will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and the World Aquatics Championships in 2024, and staged the World Athletics Championships and World Beach Games in 2019.

Qatar's bid was billed as being "low risk" due to its previous hosting experience, and the majority of venues are already in place.

A compact Games has been promised, with the Athletes' Village at Lusail City.

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies are planned for Khalifa Stadium, with Doha's Aspire Zone sporting complex also set to be a key hub.

Other venues will include the Qatar Foundation Sports Complex, the Al Rayyan Sports Complex, the Lusail Sports Complex, the Al Gharaffa Sports Complex, the Al Saad Sports Complex and the Katara-Lusail Coastal Zone.