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Geopolitical tensions and missile attacks in the Middle East are causing widespread disruption across the international sports calendar, leading to the postponement of marquee tournaments, championship finals, and racing events. The 2027 Asian Cup, high-profile Formula 1 Grands Prix, and multiple tennis and motorsport competitions are among the notable casualties as governing bodies reassess safety and logistics in the region.
Football Disruptions and the Saudi Pro League
The 2027 Asian Cup, which serves as Asia’s equivalent to the Euros, has been delayed by nearly a year. Originally set to take place in Saudi Arabia from 7 January to 5 February next year with 24 teams, the tournament will now run from 23 December 2027 to 21 January 2028.
Following this postponement, the Saudi Pro League called off its full round of weekend fixtures, explaining that the calendar would be recalibrated to achieve a more balanced distribution of matches. This follows earlier disruptions where three domestic matches were postponed last month following an attack on a major airport in Riyadh, though the league officially attributed those shifts to mandatory rest periods and logistical requirements.
AFC Champions League fixtures have also seen alterations. Al-Nassr players including Cristiano Ronaldo and Kingsley Coman did not travel to Uzbekistan due to match pressure and travel volume, while United Arab Emirates club Al-Wasl chose not to fly to Saudi Arabia, resulting in a rescheduled match.
Meanwhile, Ellie Watkins, wife of Riyadh-based Al-Hilal player Ollie Watkins, shared on TikTok that she and their two children returned to the United Kingdom to maintain a sense of normalcy until the security situation improves.
Formula 1 Faces Major Scheduling Dilemmas
According to BBC Sport F1 Correspondent Andrew Benson, Formula 1 faces a significant dilemma regarding races at the end of this season and the start of the next. The current season is scheduled to conclude with races in Qatar on 27–29 November and Abu Dhabi on 4–6 December. While the sport is pressing ahead based on security reassurances from government sources, internal misgivings remain, and a sharp deterioration in regional security could prompt cancellations and a replacement single event in Imola, Italy.
Looking ahead to 2027, the season opener in Bahrain on 12–14 March and the subsequent Saudi Arabian Grand Prix are in jeopardy. Because the Bahrain causeway terminates near an Aramco facility targeted by the Houthis and connects close to the F1 track, these races may be cancelled unless conditions change by December, with a potential relocation to Malaysia under discussion.
Other Motorsport and Rally Changes
The Dakar Rally, previously hosted in Saudi Arabia for seven consecutive editions, has moved its January event following recent regional developments. The 2027 edition will instead run from Loule-Faro in Portugal to Marrakech in Morocco, with plans to return to Saudi Arabia in 2028. Additionally, Rally Saudi Arabia for the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship has been cancelled.
Conversely, MotoGP is proceeding with this weekend’s races at the Lusail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar, though the Yamaha team will not participate after being advised against traveling from Japan.
Tennis and Combat Sports Adjustments
The Six Kings Slam in Riyadh has been postponed by two months and is now slated for 27–30 December at the ANB Arena, situated roughly 31 kilometers from the King Khalid International Airport, which suffered a fatal attack on 10 October. Players scheduled to compete include Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, and Learner Tien.
In women’s tennis, the 2026 WTA Finals will no longer take place in Saudi Arabia after a mutual agreement terminated the hosting contract early. The season-ending championship will instead move to Indian Wells in the United States.
In boxing, while Canelo Alvarez successfully reclaimed his WBC super middleweight championship against Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, the full card was altered when Lindolfo Delgado withdrew from his IBF lightweight title bout against Arthur Biyarslanov over safety concerns. The upcoming Zuffa Boxing event featuring Carlos Adames and Gerome Warburton remains scheduled for 14 November.
WWE’s Crown Jewel 2026 event will proceed this weekend, though its venue was shifted from the Kingdom Arena to the ANB arena.
Additional Sporting Cancellations
Other affected events include the FIFAe Finals esports tournament in Jeddah and the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in Riyadh, both of which were recently called off. The PIF Saudi International, serving as the Asian Tour’s season finale at Riyadh Golf Club, was cancelled following an evaluation of organisational and logistical challenges. Furthermore, the Professional Triathletes Organisation rescheduled the Saudi Arabia T100 and World Triathlon Cup events in Jeddah to 16–17 April.
