Tennis fans who had October 21 to 24 marked in their diaries will need to rewrite the plan for Riyadh. Riyadh Season has postponed the third Six Kings Slam to December 27 to 30, 2026, citing organisational and logistical challenges.
What Organisers Said
The announcement came on Wednesday, with Turki Al AlShikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, sharing the news on X. Organisers said the decision followed a review of what it takes to stage the event, and that the challenges could affect both the quality of the tournament and the spectator experience.
Riyadh Season, the Saudi entertainment festival the tournament belongs to, thanked the players, partners and tennis fans in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and said preparations will continue so the rescheduled event meets expectations.
Spectators looking for details on the revised schedule can call the Ettemam Centre on 8001282222 or visit Ettemam.sa.
The Security Backdrop
The delay comes at a tense moment for Riyadh. Gulf News reports heightened security concerns in the capital after recent missile and drone attacks on its international airport, although organisers did not link the postponement to those events.
A Quick Look At The Tournament
The Six Kings Slam began in Riyadh in 2024 and has become one of tennis’s richest exhibition events. Jannik Sinner won the first two editions, beating Carlos Alcaraz in both finals and collecting $6 million each time.
It is not an ATP Tour event, so no ranking points are on offer. The prize money has helped draw the sport’s leading names to Riyadh, and the tournament is presented by Saudi Aramco.
What We Still Don’t Know
Under the original plan, the knockout event was to be played at The Venue in Riyadh, with matches on October 21 and 22 and the final on October 24. No day-by-day schedule for December has been reported yet.
The original line-up had Jannik Sinner returning to defend his title, with Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic also named. But not the same players are available for the new dates; they, which aren’t confirmed yet.
Riyadh Season 2026 was announced to begin on October 21 with ten weeks of entertainment, which would put the rescheduled tennis in the festival’s closing days.
Also Read: Six Kings Slam 2026 Returns to Riyadh This October With Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner & More
Other Saudi events have also moved. The MDLBEAST Soundstorm music festival was postponed, and Joy Awards 2027 is set to be cancelled, according to Gulf News reports.
Cover Image Courtesy: Riyadh Season/Instagram