It is official: the 10th edition of the Asian Winter Games, scheduled to be hosted for the first time in West Asia—specifically in Saudi Arabia in 2029—has been postponed indefinitely. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, in a joint statement, made the decision public on January 24 (Saturday).
“We have agreed on an updated framework for future hosting of the Asian Winter Games, confirming the postponement of the 2029 edition to a later date to be announced in due course,” a statement released on the OCA’s official website read.
Why have the Asian Winter Games 2029 been postponed?
While there was no concrete reasoning given in the official joint statement, the decision follows a period of intense speculation regarding the host’s infrastructure. Reports, including an analysis by the Financial Times in August 2025, suggested that the hosts were struggling to deliver the “desert-defying” ski resort in time for the 2029 window.
Trojena, the ambitious ski resort part of the $500bn Neom mega-project, has been designated as the host city. However, with the facility yet to be completed, the postponement provides what the OCA calls “additional preparation time.” This delay aligns with previous reports that Saudi authorities had sought technical expertise from China, Japan, and South Korea—nations with a proven track record of hosting the Winter Games.
Why will Saudi Arabia still host standalone events?
As per the press release, the OCA and the Saudi Olympic Committee have decided that the facility—while still under development—will host a series of standalone sports events in the interim. The reasoning behind these events is to strengthen “regional balance” and athlete development.
“These competitions are designed to promote winter sports, broaden participation, and develop a stronger pipeline of athletes, technical officials, and practitioners,” the statement said.
It remains to be seen whether the 10th edition will eventually move to a different host or if Saudi Arabia will retain the rights for a later date, such as 2033.
How has India performed at the Asian Winter Games so far?
As far as India is concerned, they have never won a medal in the previous nine editions. The nation continues to invest in winter disciplines, having sent a contingent of 59 athletes to the most recent 2025 games in Harbin, China.