The Six Kings Slam, tennis' big-money tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been postponed from October to December due to unrest in the Middle East. The event, in its third edition, awards £1.2m per competing player and an extra £3.5m for the winner. It was originally scheduled for October 21-24 but has now been moved to December 27-30.
The six players included for 2026 are Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur and Learner Tien. The decision follows continued unrest in the region and the recent bombing of the international airport in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh.
Organisers said 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. Italy's Jannik Sinner, currently out injured with a knee complaint, won the Six Kings Slam in 2024 and 2025, beating Alcaraz in the final on both occasions.
The security situation is affecting other events as well. The Asian Tour is monitoring conditions ahead of the Saudi International in Riyadh next month, and the Japan Football Association has withdrawn from the FIFAe World Cup in Jeddah from October 16-25 after assessing safety and security. Football Australia said its security team is also monitoring the situation. Saudi Arabia is still set to stage the Asian Cup in 2027, a key test ahead of hosting the 2034 World Cup.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing