Olympic Council of Asia postpones Riyadh Indoor and Martial Arts Games to spring 2027

The Olympic Council of Asia and the local organizing committee announced on Monday evening the postponement of the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, scheduled in Riyadh, to the period from 28 March to 8 April 2027.

The event had been previously scheduled for 11 to 21 December 2026, but the two sides decided to change the dates after reviewing organizational and logistical arrangements.

The joint statement said the decision to postpone was made in coordination with National Olympic Committees and the relevant sports federations, with the aim of ensuring the best conditions for the participation of Asian delegations.

The council and the organizing committee affirmed that preparations to host the Games in the Saudi capital Riyadh will continue, and that coordination with the relevant authorities will be maintained to complete the necessary arrangements to ensure an outstanding edition of the continental event.

It is noted that the Saudi capital Riyadh has been subjected for more than a month to missile and drone attacks by Ansar Allah (the Houthis), in the context of the ongoing conflict in Yemen and in response to Saudi support for the Yemeni legitimate government.