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Saudi Arabia is on track to host the 2034 World Cup as Australia withdrew from the competition. No other countries met the October 31 deadline to express formal interest. Saudi Arabia has already hosted major sporting events, including lucrative boxing matches like Tyson Fury’s bout with MMA star Francis Ngannou, where both fighters earned substantial sums. For further information on upcoming events in the Middle East, Mail Sport has the details.
Fury, fresh from a tough fight in Saudi Arabia against Ngannou, is set to return next year for a contract bout against Oleksandr Usyk. Originally planned for December 23, it will likely be postponed to February to allow Fury to recover. His promoter, Frank Warren, emphasized the need for sufficient recovery time. Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua’s fight with Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia faces uncertainty due to changes in the country’s boxing management. Saudi Arabia has previously hosted significant bouts, including Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz in 2019 and Joshua’s loss to Usyk last year.
In 2024, Dana White’s UFC is set to hold its first event in Saudi Arabia, expanding beyond its previous events in the United Arab Emirates. The UFC announced that UFC Fight Night 236 will be held in Saudi Arabia on March 2, 2024. This event, part of the ‘Fight Night’ series, is in collaboration with the Saudi General Entertainment Authority as part of Riyadh’s Season festival. The news was met with enthusiasm, with Conor McGregor describing it as ‘incredible’ as he looks forward to his return to the sport. This follows the UFC’s merger with the WWE, which has hosted multiple shows in Saudi Arabia since 2014 through a lucrative deal with the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia, confirmed as the hosts of the Club World Cup, will use this event as a rehearsal for hosting the 2034 World Cup. Manchester City, who secured their place in the Club World Cup after winning the Champions League against Inter Milan last year, will aim for their first title in the seven-team format held in Jeddah. The tournament will also feature Japanese team Urawa Red Diamonds, African Champions League winners Al Ahly from Egypt, CONCACAF Champions League champions Mexican team Leon, and Auckland City from New Zealand, who won the Oceania Champions League.
The Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia will also feature the winner of the South American tournament Copa Libertadores, which will be either Boca Juniors or Fluminense. Additionally, the host team will be Saudi outfit Al-Ittihad, the winners of the 2023 Saudi Pro League. Saudi Arabia, announced as the hosts for the 2027 Asian Cup, aims to elevate Asian football globally. With their national football team having won the competition three times, Saudi’s Minister of Sport, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, expressed his excitement and pride in being chosen as hosts for the AFC Asian Cup 2027, marking a historic moment for football in Saudi Arabia.
Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal expressed his optimism for the future of Asian football and the opportunity to showcase the sport’s greatness in Saudi Arabia. He highlighted the country’s readiness, given its experience in hosting major sporting and entertainment events, to deliver a remarkable AFC Asian Cup. He also extended his appreciation to the AFC and all the Member Associations involved in this process, emphasizing the excitement of Saudi fans who will make the event even more special.
Jeddah will host the Next Gen Finals for men’s players under 21 in tennis from 2023 to 2027, marking the ATP’s first venture into Saudi Arabia. The hardcourt competition, previously held in Milan since its inception in 2017, will now take place in Saudi Arabia. The tournament’s prize money is set to increase to £1.6 million, up from the regular £1.1 million. The event will be held at the King Abdullah Sport City facility from November 28 to December 2 this year. ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi stated that hosting the tournament in Jeddah will attract new audiences to the sport and unite tennis fans in the region.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly leading an effort to establish a cycling ‘Champions League’ in 2026, potentially reshaping the sport’s world tour. The initiative, driven by the Public Investment Fund and supported by Richard Plugge, the manager of the Jumbo-Visma team, aims to create a season-long league of top cycling events. However, it faces opposition from the Tour de France organization. Plugge stressed the need for the sport to evolve and compete with other global sports to ensure future growth and success.
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