How have the attacks in Riyadh affected the global sports calendar?

The Saudi government has invested heavily in sport through the ⁠PIF in recent years and the Asian Cup was pitched as an early rehearsal for hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

Updated : Oct 16, 2026 21:22 IST , RIYADH - 4 MINS READ

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement claimed responsibility for Saturday’s strike on Riyadh’s international airport, which killed at ‌least 12 people and wounded more than 300. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

The ‌Asian Cup football tournament is on track to take place in ​Saudi Arabia early next year, local organisers said on Friday, but golf’s ⁠Asian Tour has postponed the Saudi International indefinitely in the aftermath of a deadly attack on Riyadh.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement claimed responsibility for Saturday’s strike on Riyadh’s international airport, which killed at ‌least 12 people and wounded more than 300.

Australia also withdrew its team from the urban cycling World Championships on Friday, citing safety concerns over ‌travelling to Riyadh, where the event is scheduled to take place in early ‌November.

The ⁠Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament in Riyadh has already been moved ⁠from October to December, while FIFA on Thursday postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026video game competition in the Saudi capital until an unspecified future date.

In that environment, serious questions were being asked over whether the 24-team ​Asian Cup could still go ahead ‌in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5 next year.

Asian football chief Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said earlier this week that a postponement of the continental championships until 2028 was possible if necessary, but the local organising committee ‌said on Friday they were sticking to the original schedule.

“Preparations across all organisational ​and operational areas are progressing according to the approved schedule, including work on venues, facilities and supporting services,” it said in a statement.

“(The ⁠LOC) will continue to monitor developments relevant to the tournament and ensure the appropriate conditions are in place for its successful delivery.”

The USD 5 million Saudi International, which ‌is sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is the flagship event on the Asian Tour and had been scheduled to take place at Riyadh Golf Club from November 18-21.

“The decision to postpone was taken following an assessment of the organisational and logistical challenges associated with hosting the tournament and ensuring the event is delivered to a standard befitting its international stature,” an Asian Tour statement said.

BMX LA 2028 Qualifier cancelled

A BMX cycling qualifying event in Saudi Arabia for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was canceled Friday.

The Urban Cycling World Championships were due to be staged Nov. 3-7 in Riyadh, where the city’s airport has been bombed in the past week by the Houthi rebel group.

“The decision follows a joint assessment of recent developments in the region and their impact on the logistical organization of the championships,” the International Cycling Union said in a statement announcing the events “will not proceed.”

Earlier Friday, the Australian cycling federation pulled its team citing travel advice about “the unpredictable security situation, with military strikes and reprisal attacks occurring across the country, including Riyadh.”

“In light of these developments, AusCycling cannot justify exposing our athletes and staff to these risks,” its statement said.

The Switzerland-based UCI said the championships were “set to bring together the world’s best riders in trials and BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland).” It promised to update “shortly on the sporting consequences of this announcement.”

Two male and two female athletes in BMX freestyle park were set to earn a place in the LA Summer Games lineup.

In 2028, BMX freestyle park riders will compete at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the event was held in Place de la Concorde.

The Saudi government has invested heavily in sport through the ⁠PIF in recent years and the Asian Cup was pitched as an early rehearsal for hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

According to a report ‌on US news website Semafor earlier this week, PIF is preparing to tell FIFA that it will be scaling back stadium plans for the 2034 tournament as ​part of a broader review of domestic spending.

Published on Oct 16, 2026

Latest on Sportstar

1. Live Blog 2026-10-16T18:21:09+05:30

   Mohun Bagan vs SC Delhi LIVE SCORE: MBSG vs SCD, ISL 2026-27 updates; Miguel scores but leaves early with injury
2. Morkel defends Indian bowlers in high-scoring series against Windies

3. Live Blog 2026-10-16T18:38:28+05:30

   IND vs ZIM, 1st T20I LIVE score: India loses four wickets in chase; Zimbabwe finishes on 114/5