Tennis' lucrative Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has been rescheduled from October to December as organisers respond to ongoing regional instability and recent security incidents.
The tournament, now in its third year, was originally set for October 21-24 but will now run from December 27-30. The event offers substantial prize money, with each of the six competing players receiving £1.2m and the champion earning an additional £3.5m on top of that sum.
The six players confirmed for the 2026 edition are Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur and Learner Tien.
Riyadh Season, the organising body, cited security and logistical factors in announcing the delay.
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,the organisation stated. According to Saudi Press Agency, Riyadh Season confirmed that preparations are continuing for the rescheduled tournament and thanked players, partners and fans for their interest.
The postponement decision follows escalating tensions in the Middle East, including recent attacks on King Khalid International Airport that reportedly killed 12 people, with the facility expected to remain closed through at least October 17.
Italy's Jannik Sinner, currently sidelined with a knee injury, has dominated the tournament in recent years, winning both the 2024 and 2025 editions and defeating Alcaraz in the final on each occasion.
The Six Kings Slam is a men-only exhibition event rather than an official ranking tournament and is streamed on Netflix, giving it significant global reach beyond traditional tennis audiences.
Security concerns are affecting other sporting events scheduled in Saudi Arabia. Golf's Asian Tour has announced it is closely monitoring the security environment ahead of the Saudi International in Riyadh next month. Additionally, the Japan Football Association declined to participate in the FIFAe World Cup, an esports tournament series run by FIFA, scheduled for Jeddah from October 16-25, citing a comprehensive assessment of safety and security conditions. Football Australia has similarly stated its security team is monitoring developments.
The rescheduling creates uncertainty about participation levels, with reports indicating it remains unclear whether all six announced players will compete on the new dates.
The December timing places the tournament during tennis's off-season, shortly before the Australian Open preparations begin in January, which could influence player availability and preparation schedules.
Looking ahead
Saudi Arabia is preparing for major international sporting events in coming years, including hosting the Asian Cup in soccer for the first time in 2027—a significant test before the kingdom stages the FIFA World Cup in 2034. The Six Kings Slam is now scheduled to take place December 27–30, 2026.
