Almaty Confirmed as Host of 2029 Asian Winter Games After Saudi Arabia’s Neom Postponement
Olympic Council of Asia shifts the continental winter sports event to Kazakhstan following indefinite delay of the Neom project
The Olympic Council of Asia has formally designated Almaty, Kazakhstan, as the host city for the 2029 Asian Winter Games after Saudi Arabia’s planned staging of the event at Trojena in the futuristic Neom megacity was postponed indefinitely.
The hosting agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, where OCA President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan for its strong winter sports legacy and infrastructure.
Almaty last hosted the Games in 2011 and has significant experience organising major international winter sport competitions, including the Winter Universiade.
Saudi Arabia and the OCA had agreed in January to defer the 2029 event as Riyadh reassessed large-scale infrastructure plans and emphasised a long-term strategy for winter sports development in the region, though no specific reason for the postponement was detailed.
Under the revised framework agreed with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the kingdom will instead host a series of standalone winter sports events in coming years aimed at fostering regional participation and capacity in winter disciplines.
The relocation of the Games to Almaty marks a return of the continental multi-sport winter competition to a proven venue with existing facilities capable of accommodating the full programme without major new construction.
Officials from Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee said the selection underscores confidence in the city’s ability to deliver a cost-efficient and high-quality Games and will further invigorate the country’s ongoing efforts to develop winter sport at grassroots and elite levels.
The OCA’s decision ensures continuity for the tenth edition of the Asian Winter Games and maintains the event on its traditional four-year cycle, with dates and detailed planning to be announced by organisers in due course.
The hosting agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, where OCA President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan for its strong winter sports legacy and infrastructure.
Almaty last hosted the Games in 2011 and has significant experience organising major international winter sport competitions, including the Winter Universiade.
Saudi Arabia and the OCA had agreed in January to defer the 2029 event as Riyadh reassessed large-scale infrastructure plans and emphasised a long-term strategy for winter sports development in the region, though no specific reason for the postponement was detailed.
Under the revised framework agreed with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the kingdom will instead host a series of standalone winter sports events in coming years aimed at fostering regional participation and capacity in winter disciplines.
The relocation of the Games to Almaty marks a return of the continental multi-sport winter competition to a proven venue with existing facilities capable of accommodating the full programme without major new construction.
Officials from Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee said the selection underscores confidence in the city’s ability to deliver a cost-efficient and high-quality Games and will further invigorate the country’s ongoing efforts to develop winter sport at grassroots and elite levels.
The OCA’s decision ensures continuity for the tenth edition of the Asian Winter Games and maintains the event on its traditional four-year cycle, with dates and detailed planning to be announced by organisers in due course.
