The Six Kings Slam tennis tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been postponed from October to December because of unrest in the Middle East. The event, now in its third edition, was originally scheduled for October 21-24 and has been moved to December 27-30.
The postponement follows continued unrest in the region and the recent bombing of the international airport in Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
The tournament awards £1.2m to each competing player and an extra £3.5m to the winner. The six players included for 2026 are Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur and Learner Tien.
Organisers Cite Logistical Concerns
Organisers said the decision reflects Riyadh Season’s commitment to delivering sporting events to the highest standards. “The decision reflects Riyadh Season’s commitment to delivering sporting events to the highest standards, following an assessment of the organisational and logistical challenges associated with hosting the tournament and their potential impact on the quality of the audience experience,” they said in a statement.
Italy’s Jannik Sinner, who is currently out injured with a knee complaint, won the Six Kings Slam in 2024 and 2025, beating Alcaraz in the final on both occasions.
Security Concerns Spread Across Saudi Sport
Attacks have threatened to disrupt sport in Saudi Arabia. Golf’s Asian Tour said it is monitoring the security situation ahead of the Saudi International in Riyadh next month.
Saudi Arabia is also set to stage the Asian Cup in soccer for the first time in 2027, a key test ahead of the kingdom’s hosting of the 2034 World Cup.
The country is also hosting the FIFAe World Cup, an esports tournament series run by world soccer’s governing body FIFA, in Jeddah from October 16-25. The Japan Football Association said it would not take part after a comprehensive assessment of the current situation in the host country and the available information on safety and security. Football Australia said its security team is monitoring the situation.