Security concerns across Saudi Arabia have disrupted international sports schedules, with the tennis tournament Six Kings Slam postponed to December following a deadly missile strike on Riyadh’s international airport, Reuters reported on Oct. 15.
Six Kings Slam Postponed to December Over Security Concerns
The Six Kings Slam tennis tournament, originally scheduled to run from Oct. 21 to 24 in Riyadh, has been pushed back to Dec. 27 through 30. The tournament organizers announced the delay following an attack on Oct. 11 that struck the capital’s international airport, resulting in at least 12 deaths and over 300 injuries. Reuters described the incident as the most lethal attack in Saudi Arabia over the past decade.
Tournament organizers issued a statement explaining that the decision stemmed from evaluating operational and logistical difficulties and the potential impact on the quality of the spectator experience. The event features a star-studded lineup including Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, and Alexander Zverev of Germany. Jannik Sinner of Italy had already withdrawn due to injury. In the 2024 edition, Alcaraz earned $1.5 million over four days, later acknowledging that the substantial prize money influenced his decision to compete, though security issues have now altered the current schedule.
Asian Football Confederation Weighs 2028 Postponement
Football governance is also facing potential disruption as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in 2027. The 24-team tournament is currently slated to open on Jan. 7 across eight stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al-Khobar, but the recent airport strike has opened the possibility of a one-year delay to 2028.
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Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, speaking to reporters in Zurich during a FIFA Council meeting, stated that there is no need to rush a decision and that officials can wait until late November. He noted that regional conditions can change rapidly in either direction and affirmed that the tournament could be moved to 2028 if necessary, though he emphasized that monitoring is ongoing and all schedules currently remain as planned.
Japan Football Association Withdraws from FIFAe World Cup
The security fallout has already prompted direct withdrawals from other regional fixtures. The Japan Football Association decided against participating in the FIFAe World Cup in Jeddah, scheduled for Oct. 16 through 25. The association cited a comprehensive review of current conditions in the host country alongside gathered safety and security information as the basis for its withdrawal.
Meanwhile, the Australian Football Association is closely monitoring local security conditions ahead of its planned A-match fixtures in the Middle East this November. The Asian Tour has similarly indicated it is watching security developments closely ahead of the upcoming Saudi International golf tournament scheduled in Riyadh next month.
Upcoming Schedule and Official Monitoring Updates
The next major checkpoint for football officials arrives in late November, when Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa indicated the governing body will review regional security conditions to determine whether the 2027 Asian Cup will proceed on schedule or face a one-year postponement to 2028. In the interim, organizers of the rescheduled Six Kings Slam tennis tournament aim to stage their event from Dec. 27 to 30, while golf and football bodies continue to evaluate local security advisories ahead of their respective November fixtures.
