By Salma El-Sakka
The 2027 Asian Cup has been postponed by nearly a year, the latest in a series of high-profile sporting events disrupted by escalating conflict in the Middle East. The 24-team tournament, originally scheduled for Saudi Arabia from 7 January to 5 February 2026, will now take place between 23 December 2027 and 21 January 2028. The decision follows concerns over missile attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement, which have already led to the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends in April. Now the season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are also in doubt, potentially costing Formula 1 four of its 24 events this year.
Football
The Saudi Pro League has largely continued but postponed several domestic fixtures last month after an attack on a major airport in Riyadh. The league attributed the changes to mandatory rest periods and logistical requirements. Following the Asian Cup postponement, this weekend's full round of matches has been called off to recalibrate the calendar. The AFC Champions League has also been affected: Al-Nassr stars including Cristiano Ronaldo and Kingsley Coman did not travel to Uzbekistan, and Al-Wasl of the UAE declined to fly to Saudi Arabia for a match against Al-Nassr. The wife of Al-Hilal player Ollie Watkins said she and their children would remain in the UK until the situation calms down.
Formula 1
Formula 1 faces a major dilemma over its Middle East races. The 2026 season is set to conclude with the Qatar Grand Prix on 27-29 November and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 4-6 December. While the sport has received security assurances, many within the paddock have misgivings. If conditions deteriorate, both races could be cancelled and replaced by a single event at Imola in Italy on the Abu Dhabi weekend. The 2027 season opener in Bahrain on 12-14 March and the following Saudi Arabian Grand Prix are also at risk due to Houthi targeting of Saudi oil facilities near the Bahrain circuit. One option under discussion is moving the Bahrain race to Malaysia.
Other Motorsport
The 2027 Dakar Rally, originally planned for Saudi Arabia, has been relocated to start in Loule-Faro, Portugal, and finish in Marrakech, Morocco, after seven consecutive editions in the kingdom. Rally Saudi Arabia, part of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship scheduled for 12-15 November, has been cancelled. MotoGP will still race this weekend at the Lusail International Circuit in Doha, but the Yamaha team has been advised against travelling from Japan.
Tennis
The Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh, featuring Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz and Learner Tien, has been postponed by two months to 27-30 December at the ANB Arena, about 31km from King Khalid International Airport which was attacked on 10 October. Meanwhile, the 2026 WTA Finals will not be held in Saudi Arabia; the hosting agreement was terminated early and the season-ending championship will take place at Indian Wells in the United States.
Boxing
Saudi Arabia continues to host major boxing events, with Canelo Alvarez reclaiming the WBC super middleweight title last week. However, Lindolfo Delgado withdrew from his IBF lightweight title fight against Arthur Biyarslanov over safety concerns. The next scheduled event is Zuffa Boxing on 14 November, featuring Carlos Adames against Gerome Warburton as part of Riyadh Season 13.
WWE
WWE Crown Jewel 2026 will proceed this weekend but has been moved from the Kingdom Arena to the ANB Arena. The card includes Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn, Liv Morgan, Chelsea Green, Bron Breakker, Austin Theory, Penta, Je'Von Evans, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.
Other Sports Impacted
The FIFAe Finals esports tournament in Jeddah was cancelled last month. This week's UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in Riyadh were also called off. The PIF Saudi International golf tournament, scheduled for 18-21 November at Riyadh Golf Club, has been cancelled due to organisational and logistical challenges. The Professional Triathletes Organisation has moved the Saudi Arabia T100 and World Triathlon Cup in Jeddah from late November to 16-17 April.
