Saudi sports are facing a new test with the escalation of regional tensions, as a group of decisions related to sporting events in Saudi Arabia, during the month of October, raised questions about the extent to which the Saudi sports project is affected by the current regional conflict, and whether security risks will push towards a reordering of priorities, at a time when the Kingdom seeks to consolidate its position as a major destination for global sports, and is in the midst of preparations to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
During October, the Saudi sports calendar witnessed a series of changes that affected international events. At the end of last week, Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, announced the postponement of the “Six Kings Slam” world tennis tournament, known as the “Six Kings” and the tournament is characterized by its exhibition character, to December 2026 instead of its scheduled date during this October, against the backdrop of the escalation of Houthi attacks on a number of Saudi cities.
The list of participants announced before the postponement of the third edition included Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, Serbian Novak Djokovic, and German Alexander Zverev.
The PIF Saudi International Golf Championship, which was scheduled to be held in Riyadh between November 18 and 21, was also postponed, and the International Cycling Union announced that the World Urban Cycling Championship, which was scheduled to be organized in Riyadh between November 3 and 7, would not be held.
Data and reports showed a discrepancy in the level of clarification provided by sports authorities regarding security risks and their connection to the regional conflict or not, as the International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced on March 14, 2026 on its official website that the Saudi and Bahrain races would not be held on their scheduled date, and then clarified later that regional developments affected the logistical arrangements for the Saudi round in the World Rally Championship. On the other hand, the Saudi Ministry of Sports confirmed the Kingdom’s readiness to host, while the organizers of the 2027 Asian Cup announced the continuation of preparations, with the possibility of postponement remaining on the table if circumstances require it. The Asian Golf Tour said that it is monitoring the situation in coordination with its partners. Therefore, most of the federations’ and organizers’ statements do not prove that the decisions were taken specifically because of the Houthi attacks.
The impact of potential security disruptions does not stop with the decision to postpone a match or move a tournament. Organizing an international event requires a wide network of contracts and obligations, including broadcast rights, sponsorship, accommodation, transportation, tickets and logistics.
Changing the date of a tournament may lead to additional costs for organizers and participating teams, or to losses for some companies that depend on the influx of visitors.
Financial analyzes estimated the losses of canceling the Formula 1 races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at about 190 to 200 million dollars, according to an analysis by the American company Guggenheim Partners, which was reported by the Emirati newspaper The National, with an impact estimated at about 80 million dollars on operating profits. American Bernstein Enterprises analysts also estimated the threatened hosting fees for the two races at about $100 million, according to the British newspaper the Financial Times, if they were not organized during 2026. In the golf sector, the Saudi International Championship, whose prize money is worth $5 million, was postponed amid security and logistical concerns, without any actual losses being announced. The American company Liberty Media's disclosures indicated that financial comparisons of Formula 1's revenues and costs were affected as a result of not holding the two races. However, these numbers do not represent Saudi Arabia's losses alone, nor do they prove that the financial impact is caused exclusively by Houthi attacks.
This trend appeared in reducing sports investments in abandoning plans to renew hosting the WTA Finals, and suspending the Trogena Resort project linked to the 2029 Asian Winter Games, according to the UAE newspaper The National. But on the other hand, the Saudi Ministry of Sports announced the allocation of 2.164 billion riyals to initiatives to support clubs in the 2026-2027 season, which indicates a redirection of spending and not a comprehensive and proven reduction in the sports budget.
Earlier, the Saudi Public Investment Fund announced on April 30, 2026 that it would end financing the LIV Golf League after the end of the season, citing a change in the investment strategy and general economic conditions. Saudi investments in the league had exceeded $5 billion, according to Agence France-Presse and reports carried by The Djaban Times on May 3, 2026. This shows that the review of some sports investments began for announced strategic and financial reasons, and cannot be entirely attributed to the conflict or security tensions that escalated later.
