Saudi’s Neom Replaced by Almaty as Asian Winter Games Host

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has officially announced that Almaty, Kazakhstan, will host the upcoming Asian Winter Games, replacing Saudi Arabia’s futuristic mega-city project Neom. The decision follows months of growing concerns over logistical readiness, infrastructure delays, and the unprecedented challenge of staging a major winter sports event in a desert region.
Saudi Arabia had initially won the bid to host the Games as part of its ambitious Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to transform the kingdom into a global hub for sports, tourism, and entertainment. The selection of Neom — a planned $500-billion high-tech city on the Red Sea — was intended to showcase Saudi Arabia’s technological innovation, including indoor ski slopes and artificial snow facilities. However, the project’s timelines and technical feasibility have increasingly come under scrutiny.
Concerns Over Readiness and Climate
Sources close to the OCA said the decision was driven by “practical and sporting considerations.” Hosting winter events such as alpine skiing, biathlon, and snowboarding in a region with no natural snowfall would have required massive energy consumption and artificial snow production, raising both environmental and operational questions.
Despite Saudi assurances that Neom’s Trojena mountain resort would be ready in time, inspectors reportedly found that several core venues were still under construction and far from competition-ready. Transportation networks, athlete villages, and safety infrastructure also remained incomplete.
In contrast, Almaty offered a proven winter sports environment. The Kazakh city sits near the Tian Shan mountains and already boasts world-class facilities, including the Medeu speed skating rink and Shymbulak ski resort. These venues previously hosted international competitions and require minimal new construction.
An OCA official said the choice of Almaty ensures “certainty, sustainability, and athlete safety,” adding that the organization could not risk delays that might compromise the Games’ credibility.
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Setback
For Saudi Arabia, the loss of hosting rights represents a notable setback in its sports diplomacy campaign. Over the past decade, the kingdom has invested heavily in international sporting events, including Formula One races, boxing championships, and football tournaments. The Asian Winter Games were meant to symbolize Saudi Arabia’s leap into non-traditional sports and its technological capacity to overcome environmental limits.
In a brief statement, Saudi officials said they respected the OCA’s decision and would continue developing Neom and its tourism infrastructure. They emphasized that Trojena remains a key part of the country’s long-term vision and that winter tourism projects would proceed regardless of the Games.
However, analysts say the reversal exposes the tension between ambition and feasibility. “Neom represents Saudi Arabia’s desire to redefine what is possible, but mega-events require reliability,” said one regional sports policy expert. “The OCA opted for a safer option.”
Almaty’s Opportunity
Kazakhstan welcomed the announcement as a chance to reaffirm its status as Central Asia’s leading winter sports destination. Government officials said hosting the Games would boost tourism, generate jobs, and enhance the country’s international profile.
Almaty previously bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics and narrowly lost to Beijing. Local authorities view the Asian Winter Games as both a consolation prize and a stepping stone toward future Olympic ambitions. Preparations are expected to focus on upgrading existing venues rather than constructing new ones, aligning with sustainability goals promoted by international sporting bodies.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev praised the decision, saying it reflected “confidence in Kazakhstan’s sporting infrastructure and organizational experience.”
Environmental and Ethical Debate
The change in host city also reflects a broader shift in how international sporting organizations view climate and sustainability. Critics of the Neom bid argued that building winter sports facilities in a desert region contradicted environmental responsibility, especially amid global climate concerns.
Human rights groups had also raised questions about labor conditions and transparency linked to large construction projects in Neom. While the OCA did not publicly cite these issues as decisive factors, observers note that they likely contributed to the organization’s cautious stance.
By contrast, Almaty’s natural climate and existing venues reduce the need for large-scale construction and carbon-intensive snowmaking, making it a more environmentally defensible choice.
Looking Ahead
The Asian Winter Games will now move forward under Almaty’s stewardship, with organizers promising a traditional winter sports atmosphere and strong regional participation. Athletes and national federations have largely welcomed the decision, expressing relief that competitions will take place in a location designed for snow and ice events.
For Saudi Arabia, the episode underscores the challenges of transforming bold visions into operational realities. While Neom remains a symbol of future ambition, the reassignment of the Games highlights the limits of innovation when confronted with climate, timelines, and international sporting standards.
As preparations begin in Kazakhstan, the shift from desert megacity to mountain metropolis marks a return to conventional winter sports logic — and a reminder that even the most ambitious projects must meet practical demands when hosting the world’s athletes.