Six Kings Slam Tennis Tournament in Riyadh Postponed Due to Security Threats

Alexander Zverev’s scheduled appearance at the high-profile Six Kings Slam in Riyadh has been postponed, bild.de reported. The tournament was originally slated to run from Oct. 21 to 24 before organizers shifted the dates to late December.

Airport Closures and Security Concerns in Riyadh

The postponement comes in the wake of recent attacks by the Houthi movement from Yemen targeting Riyadh’s international airport, an incident that left at least 13 people dead. Following the strikes, the airport faced temporary closures extending through the weekend. While state officials and tournament organizers officially attributed the schedule change to logistical hurdles, the operational disruptions at the primary aviation hub directly coincided with the regional security crisis.

Turki Al-Sheikh Announces December Rescheduling

Turki Al-Sheikh, who is responsible for the tournament, announced the new calendar via social media. “We will postpone the ‘Six Kings Slam’ for logistical reasons,” Al-Sheikh wrote on Instagram, confirming that the tournament will now take place from Dec. 27 to 30. The revised dates push back the arrival of tennis stars including Zverev, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz.

⚡ 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: The Six Kings Slam in Riyadh has been moved to 27-30 December 2026, organisers announced.↳ 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗫𝗧The lucrative six-player exhibition was originally set for 21, 22 and 24 October. Riyadh Season cited organisational and logistical difficulties, not… pic.twitter.com/L7NJ2gzc8b

— https://x.com/betbugstennis/status/2110388795774513561

Exhibition Millions and the Absence of Ranking Points

The Six Kings Slam offers no official ranking points or official titles, relying instead on substantial financial guarantees to attract top-tier talent. Participants receive sizeable appearance fees before stepping on the court. Sinner collected a $1.5 million payout just for entering the tournament, supplemented by an additional $4.5 million for capturing the title. With the tournament delayed, the sport’s names must wait until late December to secure those payouts.

Canelo Alvarez Commits to Riyadh Boxing Event

While the tennis exhibition faces a delay, other major sports spectacles in the Saudi capital remain on the calendar. Boxer Canelo Alvarez confirmed on X that he still intends to fight in Riyadh on Oct. 31 despite the heightened security climate. Al-Sheikh responded to the boxer’s announcement by posting, “Hard times reveal true friends.” Meanwhile, preparations continue for the WWE Crown Jewel event scheduled for Nov. 7, an engagement reportedly valued at up to $50 million. Organizers have not yet issued an official cancellation or postponement for either the boxing card or the wrestling production.