Saudi Arabia postpones football matches and the Six Kings Slam after deadly Houthi attacks
Three Saudi Pro League games, including Al Nassr's, have been moved and the Netflix-streamed tennis exhibition pushed to December after strikes on Riyadh's airport killed 13 people.
At a glance
- Houthi strikes on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport left 13 people dead, the worst attack on the kingdom since 2015.
- Al Hilal v Al Riyadh and Al Ittihad v Al Shabab move to December 19; Al Ahli v Al Nassr moves to March 6, 2027.
- The Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition, due October 21–24 on Netflix, will now be played December 27–30.
- Riyadh airport was expected to stay closed until October 17, according to a NOTAM.
Saudi Arabia's packed sporting calendar has been hit by the sharp escalation in fighting with Yemen's Houthis. The Saudi Pro League postponed three matchweek nine fixtures, and the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition has been moved to December.
Football fixtures moved
The league said the games were pushed back for logistical reasons, taking into account mandatory minimum rest periods between matches. League leaders Al Hilal's meeting with Al Riyadh, and Al Ittihad against Al Shabab, were moved to December 19. The clash between Al Ahli and Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr was rescheduled to March 6, 2027. Other matchweek nine games stay on schedule.
On Monday, Al Nassr's AFC Champions League match against Uzbek side Neftchi Fergana in Riyadh was delayed by an hour after the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted a Houthi missile fired at the capital.
Six Kings Slam to December
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, said the Six Kings Slam — originally scheduled for October 21–24 and streamed live by Netflix — will now take place from December 27–30 for logistical reasons. The Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix planned for April in Jeddah had already been cancelled earlier this year.
The attacks behind the decisions
The disruption follows Houthi strikes on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport at the weekend that killed 13 people and suspended operations — the worst attack on the kingdom since 2015. Attacks have also targeted airports in Abha, Jazan and Najran and energy facilities. A NOTAM indicated Riyadh's airport would remain closed until October 17. In Yemen, health officials said a Houthi strike on Maashiq Palace in Aden, seat of the internationally recognised government, killed five people on Thursday.
Some events are still going ahead. Alalshikh said boxer Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez has told organisers he will fight in Riyadh on October 31 regardless.
Questions people are asking
Is Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr match postponed?
Yes. Al Nassr's league game against Al Ahli was rescheduled to March 6, 2027. Al Nassr's AFC Champions League match against Neftchi Fergana went ahead but was delayed by an hour.
When is the Six Kings Slam now?
December 27–30, 2026, according to Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh.
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