# Saudi Arabia sports event disruptions

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/saudi-arabia-sports-event-disruptions
> Updated: 2026-10-16T11:56:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Security concerns in Saudi Arabia, following military attacks by Yemeni forces, have led to the disruption and cancellation of several major international sporting events.

In Riyadh, the UCI Track Cycling World Championships, originally scheduled for November 3–7, 2026, has been canceled. The Union Cycliste Internationale and the Saudi Cycling Federation cited recent regional developments and resulting logistical challenges as the primary reasons for the decision. 

Other affected events include the postponement of the Asian Tour’s Saudi International golf tournament, the rescheduling of the Six Kings tennis exhibition to December, and the indefinite postponement of the 2026 Global Esports Games finals. Additionally, the future of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup faces uncertainty, with AFC President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa noting that a postponement to 2028 remains a possibility.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-16: UCI cancels 2026 Urban Cycling World Championships in Riyadh

The UCI and the Saudi Cycling Federation have cancelled the 2026 Urban Cycling World Championships in Riyadh due to regional developments and logistical difficulties.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uci-cancels-2026-urban-cycling-world-championships-in-riyadh

### 2026-10-15: Saudi Arabia sports events disrupted by regional security concerns

Security tensions in Saudi Arabia have caused the cancellation of the Track Cycling World Championships and the postponement of the $5 million Saudi International golf tournament.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-sports-events-disrupted-by-regional-security-concerns

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Cite as: Saudi Arabia sports event disruptions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/saudi-arabia-sports-event-disruptions