Sports

Saudi Arabia, Olympic Council Delay 2029 Asian Winter Games

Artistic performance of the 10th Asian Winter Games host city Neom, Saudi Arabia is presented during the closing ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China on Feb. 14, 2025.
Photographer: Li Yibo/Xinhua/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Christine Burke

January 24, 2026 at 4:54 PM UTC

Updated on

January 25, 2026 at 8:19 AM UTC

Saudi Arabia and the Olympic Council of Asia agreed to postpone the 2029 Asian Winter Games, dealing a blow to the Middle Eastern kingdom’s ambitions to become a major sports hub and center for global events.

The decision to delay the games, which were set to take place at a desert ski resort in the planned Saudi mega city of Neom, follows “extensive consultations” between the two sides, according to a statement on Saturday.