Saudi Arabia Courts China, South Korea to Assume 2029 Winter Games

Saudi Arabian organisers and international Olympic officials have begun sounding out China and South Korea about stepping in as hosts of the 2029 Winter Games, people familiar with the discussions said. Riyadh was awarded the event—scheduled to be the first winter multi-sport games held in the Middle East—but is now exploring alternatives and has approached the two Asian neighbours to gauge their willingness to take over, according to multiple reports published on 22 August. No replacement venue has been confirmed and neither Beijing nor Seoul has publicly commented on the overture. A shift in host nation would require formal approval from the relevant Olympic governing bodies.