The Six Kings Slam has been postponed until late December, with Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev among the stars affected by the change of dates. The lucrative exhibition was originally scheduled to take place in Riyadh on October 21, 22 and 24, but organisers have moved the event to December 27–30 amid growing security concerns and logistical disruption in Saudi Arabia.
The decision follows a series of deadly missile attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, attributed to Yemen's Houthi movement, which have disrupted air travel and heightened concerns over events scheduled in the Saudi capital. Organisers announced the postponement this Wednesday, citing organisational and logistical challenges associated with staging the tournament.
The third edition of the Six Kings Slam was set to bring together six leading players for a knockout exhibition at the ANB Arena. The revised dates mean the tournament will now take place just days before the start of the 2027 tennis season in Australia, creating a different end-of-year schedule for its participants.
The postponement also comes after Jannik Sinner withdrew because of a knee injury, ending his 2026 season early. The two-time defending champion has been replaced by American Learner Tien, who was due to make his debut in Riyadh. With Sinner absent, Alcaraz, Djokovic and the other competitors will have a new opportunity to claim the exhibition's substantial prize money.
Security concerns force change of plans
In its announcement, Riyadh Season said the decision followed an assessment of the challenges involved in hosting the event and their potential impact on the audience experience.
“The decision reflects Riyadh Season's commitment to delivering sporting events to the highest standards, following an assessment of the organizational and logistical challenges associated with hosting the tournament and their potential impact on the quality of the audience experience."
The attacks have added uncertainty to Saudi Arabia's sporting calendar, with disrupted flights complicating travel arrangements for international visitors and participants. The Six Kings Slam is an exhibition rather than an official ATP Tour tournament, but its star-studded field and substantial financial incentives have made it one of the most prominent events on the country's sporting schedule.
Each participant was expected to receive a guaranteed appearance fee of $1.5 million, while the champion's total payday was set at $6 million. Sinner claimed that prize in each of the first two editions, defeating Alcaraz in the final on both occasions. The Spaniard will now have another opportunity to pursue the title without his recent rival in the draw.
"Riyadh Season has announced the postponement of the third edition of the international “Six Kings Slam” tennis tournament, originally scheduled for October 21, 22, and 24, to December 27–30, 2026...The decision reflects Riyadh Season’s commitment to delivering sporting events to the highest standards, following an assessment of the organizational and logistical challenges associated with hosting the tournament and their potential impact on the quality of the audience experience."
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) October 14, 2026
How the original Six Kings Slam draw was set
The tournament uses a six-player knockout format in which Alcaraz and Djokovic receive direct entry into the semifinals, with the other four players required to win a quarterfinal first. The original bracket, announced before the postponement, was as follows:
| Stage | Originally scheduled date | Match |
| Quarterfinal | October 21 | Alexander Zverev vs Taylor Fritz |
| Quarterfinal | October 21 | Learner Tien vs Alex de Minaur |
| Semifinal | October 22 | Carlos Alcaraz vs winner of Zverev–Fritz |
| Semifinal | October 22 | Novak Djokovic vs winner of Tien–de Minaur |
| Third-place match | October 24 | Losers of the two semifinals |
| Final | October 24 | Winners of the two semifinals |
The draw reflects the format announced for October. Organisers have not yet detailed whether the daily match schedule will remain identical for the December dates.
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The revised schedule means the exhibition will be played during the winter break, shortly before players begin their preparations for the Australian summer. That could make the event a different proposition physically, particularly for players balancing rest and preparation ahead of the new season.
For now, the immediate priority is confirming the revised arrangements. The Six Kings Slam remains scheduled for December 27–30, with Alcaraz, Djokovic, Zverev, Fritz, de Minaur and Tien forming the announced field. Whether the tournament can proceed without further disruption will depend on the situation in Riyadh over the coming weeks.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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