The escalation of the armed conflict in the Middle East is beginning to disrupt the international sports calendar. Houthi attacks from Yemen against Saudi Arabia have forced the postponement of several high-profile competitions, including the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition, Saudi Pro League matches and the FIFAe Finals. Uncertainty also surrounds events scheduled for the coming months, such as the Dakar Rally, the Asian Cup, and several Formula 1 and MotoGP races, in a region that has made sport one of its main tools for international projection.
The impact goes beyond tournament dates. Calendar changes affect athletes, organizers, sponsors and broadcasters, all of whom must adapt to a situation marked by security concerns. While some competitions have already announced changes, others are maintaining their plans pending further developments. The situation is putting pressure on Saudi Arabia’s strategy of attracting major sporting events and establishing itself as a leading destination for international competitions.
The conflict in the Middle East forces changes to the sports calendar
One of the most visible changes affects tennis. The Six Kings Slam, an exhibition featuring Carlos Alcaraz, has been moved from October 21–24 to December 27–30 for logistical reasons, according to Turki Al-Sheikh, president of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. The FIFAe Finals have also been postponed. The event was scheduled to take place in Jeddah from October 16–25, but no new dates have been confirmed.
Saudi football has also had to reorganize its schedule, with three matches moved to different dates. Two fixtures will take place on December 19, while the match between Al Ahli and Al Nassr, the team featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, has been rescheduled for March 6, 2027. However, not every sporting event planned in the country has been affected. The fight between Canelo Álvarez and Christian Mbilli, scheduled for October 31 in Riyadh, remains on the calendar, according to its promoter. The situation shows that decisions are being made on an event-by-event basis, depending on conditions and each organization’s assessment.
In motorsport, uncertainty had already led to significant changes. Formula 1 canceled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix in March because of the war with Iran, while the races in Qatar, scheduled for November 27–29, and Abu Dhabi, set for December 4–6, remain on the calendar for now. Imola has emerged as a possible alternative for the season finale. MotoGP, meanwhile, moved the Qatar Grand Prix from its original April date to November 8. These changes come alongside the cancellation of the Saudi round of the World Rally Championship (WRC), another sign of the difficulties the region faces in ensuring the continuity of its sporting events.
Uncertainty threatens major events and Gulf sports investment
The biggest question marks surround events scheduled for early 2027. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has left open the possibility of postponing the Asian Cup, scheduled to begin in Saudi Arabia on January 7, potentially until 2028. Meanwhile, Dakar Rally organizers are working on an alternative route within the country for the race scheduled to start on January 1. A smaller-scale alternative in Morocco has also been considered. These decisions require coordination across sporting, logistical and commercial operations, particularly for international competitions involving teams, technical staff, suppliers and extensive transportation arrangements.
The crisis adds to the consequences of the war with Iran, which has already affected other sporting events in the Middle East. These include the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain, the NBA preseason games in the region, and the WTA Finals, which were moved from Riyadh to Indian Wells. The growing number of changes presents new challenges for organizations that had incorporated the Gulf into their expansion plans, both in terms of honoring existing commitments and providing assurances to athletes, commercial partners and spectators.
The economic impact is beginning to appear in some companies’ financial results. Liberty Media, the owner of Formula 1 and MotoGP, reported a 70.3% decline in profits during the first half of the year, amid calendar rescheduling. In the second quarter, Formula 1 revenue fell by 38%, while sponsorship revenue dropped by 44%. Although the two canceled races were estimated to account for around 2% of the championship’s annual revenue, the consequences of instability could extend to commercial agreements and future season planning.
Concerns also extend to Saudi Arabia’s sports investments. Reports indicate that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reassessing its $5.3 billion investment in LIV Golf, the circuit that forms part of the country’s strategy to expand its international sporting presence. At the same time, Saudi Arabia continues to pursue major projects, including hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, while the ATP Tour is preparing to introduce a Masters 1000 tournament in the country in 2028. The course of the conflict will be a key factor in decisions by federations, promoters and commercial partners as the sports calendar becomes increasingly dependent on regional security.
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