Table of Contents
The 2027 Asian Cup has been postponed by nearly a year due to security concerns regarding missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement. Originally scheduled for January 2027 in Saudi Arabia, the tournament will now take place from 23 December 2027 to 21 January 2028.
Football and Regional Leagues
The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has experienced significant disruptions, with several domestic fixtures postponed. While the league attributed recent schedule changes to “mandatory minimum rest periods” and logistical needs, a full round of matches scheduled for this weekend has been called off following the Asian Cup delay. The AFC Champions League has also been impacted; Al-Nassr players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Kingsley Coman, did not travel to Uzbekistan for a recent fixture, citing match pressure and travel concerns. Additionally, Al-Wasl of the UAE declined to travel to Saudi Arabia for a match against Al-Nassr.
Concerns have extended to the families of international players based in the region. Ellie Watkins, wife of Al-Hilal player Ollie Watkins, shared on TikTok that she returned to the UK with their children to maintain a sense of normality amid the regional instability.
Formula 1 and Motorsport
Formula 1 faces uncertainty regarding its upcoming schedule. While the sport intends to proceed with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races at the end of this season, security concerns remain. According to BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson, if the situation worsens, those events could be replaced by a race in Imola, Italy. The 2027 season opener in Bahrain and the subsequent race in Saudi Arabia are also in jeopardy, with officials considering Malaysia as a potential alternative venue.
Other motorsport events have faced immediate changes. The Dakar Rally, which was set for Saudi Arabia in January, has been moved to Portugal and Morocco. Similarly, the Rally Saudi Arabia, part of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship, has been cancelled. Conversely, MotoGP is proceeding with its event in Qatar this weekend, though the Yamaha team will not participate due to travel advice.
Tennis, Boxing, and Other Sports
The Six Kings Slam tennis tournament in Riyadh has been postponed by two months, while the 2026 WTA Finals have been moved from Saudi Arabia to Indian Wells in the United States following a mutual agreement to terminate the hosting contract early. In boxing, while recent title fights in Saudi Arabia proceeded, some undercard bouts have been cancelled due to safety concerns, including Lindolfo Delgado’s withdrawal from an IBF title fight.
Other major events have also been affected:
- The WWE Crown Jewel 2026 event will proceed this weekend but has been relocated to the ANB Arena.
- The FIFAe Finals, originally set for Jeddah, were cancelled.
- The UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in Riyadh were called off.
- The PIF Saudi International golf tournament was cancelled due to logistical and organizational challenges.
- The Saudi Arabia T100 and World Triathlon Cup in Jeddah have been rescheduled for April 2025.
As the situation remains fluid, organizers continue to assess the feasibility of hosting high-profile international events in the region.
