Riyadh, 26 October. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has postponed the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, which Riyadh was due to host in 2026, to 28 March – 8 April 2027, the National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan said.
The Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games are an OCA multi-sport event held separately from the summer Asian Games: the programme covers indoor sports and martial arts. More than 4,500 athletes from 45 countries are expected in Riyadh. It will be the first OCA multi-sport event held in Saudi Arabia.
According to a joint statement by the OCA and the organising committee, the new dates were chosen after consultations with national Olympic committees and partners; the postponement is meant to align the sporting calendar and ensure the widest possible participation. The final decision was taken after a review of organisational and logistical issues. The statement does not specify which issues, nor whether the postponement has anything to do with the situation in the region.
The decision also affects Kazakhstan's team. Karateka Zholaman Bigabyl, champion of the 2026 summer Asian Games in Japan, had named the Riyadh games as one of his next major events. The organisers have promised more details later.
What it means: A major Asian tournament for indoor sports and martial arts has been pushed back by almost six months, so athletes, including Kazakhs, will have to rebuild their preparation around spring 2027.
Who benefits: The organisers, who gain time to finish what is not ready; national committees, which can fit the event around other competitions. Athletes who had been planning to peak in 2026 lose out.
Background: The previous, 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games were held in Ashgabat in 2017, so the gap between editions is stretching to almost ten years. The postponement comes amid attacks this week by Yemen's Houthis on Saudi Arabia, including a strike on Riyadh airport; the organisers do not mention any link.
We have also reported that the Houthis struck Riyadh airport on the day it opened.
