Sporting events in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain have faced significant disruption due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Multiple football fixtures in the Saudi Pro League were postponed, with the entire round of games recently called off. The league cited reasons such as recalibrating the calendar after the cancellation of the Asian Cup to achieve a more balanced distribution of fixtures, rather than directly attributing the postponements to regional conflict.
Several high-profile players and their families have expressed concerns. The wife of Ollie Watkins, a player for Riyadh-based Al-Hilal, stated she would remain in the UK with their children due to the ongoing situation in Saudi Arabia, seeking a sense of normality for them. Star players from Al-Nassr, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Kingsley Coman, did not travel to Uzbekistan for an AFC Champions League match, with the club citing match pressure and travel demands.
Beyond football, other sports have also been affected. The Six Kings Slam tennis tournament, scheduled to begin in Riyadh, has been postponed by two months. Additionally, the 2026 WTA Finals, originally set to be held in Saudi Arabia, will now take place in Indian Wells, USA, following a mutual agreement to terminate the hosting deal early.
Esports and other disciplines have also seen cancellations. The FIFAe Finals in Jeddah were called off last month, and the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in Riyadh were also cancelled. The PIF Saudi International, the season finale of the Asian Tour, will not be held as planned, with organizers citing organizational and logistical challenges. The Saudi Arabia T100 and World Triathlon Cup in Jeddah have been rescheduled from late this month to April 16-17.
Formula 1 faces a dilemma regarding its racing calendar in the Middle East. The 2026 season is scheduled to conclude with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in November and December. While the sport is currently proceeding with plans based on security assurances from governmental sources, there is apprehension among those involved. Should the regional situation worsen, these races could be called off and potentially replaced by an event in Imola, Italy. The 2027 season opener, scheduled for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in March, is also in jeopardy, particularly due to the proximity of a targeted oil facility to the Bahrain circuit and the causeway linking the two nations.