Six Kings Slam Postponed to December 2026

The Six Kings Slam has been postponed from its original October dates to December 27-30, 2026. Organizers cited organizational and logistical challenges for the delay, which was announced by Riyadh Season on Tuesday.

The third edition of the exhibition was initially set for October 21-24 this year. The decision reflects Riyadh Season's stated commitment to delivering sporting events to the highest standards. No revised ticketing arrangements or match schedule has been published for the new dates.

Field and format unchanged despite delay

The six-player field for the rescheduled event at Riyadh's ANB Arena remains unchanged. The lineup features Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, and Learner Tien. The 20-year-old Tien was added on October 6 as a replacement for the injured Jannik Sinner. The event will retain its knockout format and be streamed on Netflix.

Defending champion absent due to injury

Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner will not be present. Sinner, who beat Carlos Alcaraz in the finals of both the 2024 and 2025 editions, has withdrawn with a knee injury. He has confirmed he will miss the rest of the 2026 season. Sinner won the $6 million overall prize in last year's tournament.

Tight turnaround to Australian season

The new dates place the event at the very end of the off-season. This creates a severe scheduling crunch. A player finishing the final in Riyadh on December 30 would have roughly 48 hours to reach Australia for the start of the 2027 ATP season.

The United Cup begins on January 1, 2027. The Australian Open follows on January 17. There would be no time for acclimatization or a proper pre-season training block. Alex de Minaur, an Australian and a United Cup regular, is among the players facing this tight turnaround.

Organizers deny link to recent attacks

The postponement follows by five days attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the strikes. Saudi authorities said three citizens were killed and two aircraft were hit.

Riyadh Season has not linked the tournament delay to these security incidents. The official announcement made no mention of security. It thanked players, partners, and tennis fans for their continued interest. Organizers have directed ticket holders to the Ehtemam Center for inquiries.

The Six Kings Slam is currently the only major men’s tennis event in Saudi Arabia. Its final is now scheduled for December 30, 2026.