The Six Kings Slam, a high-paying exhibition tennis tournament in Riyadh, has been moved from its planned October dates to Dec. 27 to 30, organizers announced Wednesday. The change follows a deadly attack on the Saudi capital’s main airport over the weekend, which Saudi authorities blamed on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Riyadh Season, the entertainment and sports festival that stages the event, cited logistical concerns in its announcement. The tournament had been scheduled for Oct. 21, 22 and 24. The organizers said the decision followed a review of the challenges of hosting the event and how those challenges could affect the experience for fans, Front Office Sports reported.
The attack and the death toll
The strike hit King Khalid International Airport on Saturday. Reports differ on the number of people killed. The Independent said at least 14 people died, while Forbes and Front Office Sports put the toll at 12. Forbes reported more than 300 people were injured, and called it the deadliest such strike in the Gulf region during the current Iran conflict. Front Office Sports said the airport will remain closed through this week.
Forbes also reported that an overnight Houthi strike hit offices of senior Aramco executives in Cairo, citing two regional officials who spoke to The Associated Press. The Independent noted that the attacks have also created uncertainty for other sporting events, including the final two Formula One races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Players, prize money and the new schedule
The exhibition was due to feature Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev. Bleacher Report listed Learner Tien, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur as other scheduled players. Front Office Sports said Tien had been named as a replacement for Jannik Sinner, who is out for the rest of the 2026 season with a knee injury. Sinner won the $6 million first prize last year.
Citing reporter Amelie Claydon of The Athletic, Bleacher Report said it remains unclear whether all six players will take part on the new dates. Claydon also reported that each player receives $1.5 million for appearing, plus $4.5 million for the winner. The matches air on Netflix. The new dates fall during the tennis offseason and shortly before the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 17.
Alcaraz said in a statement quoted by Forbes that he was excited to return to Riyadh. “It’s a privilege to be part of such a unique event,” he said.
Other events in Saudi Arabia
Front Office Sports reported that Canelo Álvarez is still scheduled to fight Christian Mbilli in Riyadh on Oct. 31. Turki Alalshikh, a Saudi government official, wrote on X that Álvarez told him he intends to fight as planned. WWE’s Crown Jewel event is also scheduled in Riyadh a week later, and the company has not announced any change.
The Independent reported that the WTA Finals, which Riyadh hosted in 2024 and 2025, will be held at Indian Wells this November after a third year in Saudi Arabia was postponed over safety concerns. Bleacher Report reported that Saudi Arabia is slated to stage a new ATP Masters 1000 event, possibly starting in 2028.
What happens next is still unclear. Organizers have not said whether the airport attack will affect the rescheduled dates, and no official statement has confirmed the final field of players. Saudi officials have not announced new security measures for the events in the coming weeks.
