Sports

Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC plays his shot from the 17th tee prior to LIV Golf Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec on April 15, 2026, in Mexico City.

What LIV Golf’s woes suggest about Saudi Arabia’s economic headwinds

The Golf league, which is backed by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, is saying its season will go on after reports of an imminent collapse.

This photo taken on March 8, 2026 shows Iranian players running towards their positions at the start of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 football match between Iran and the Philippines on the Gold Coast.

Trump praises Australia for aiding Iran women’s soccer team amid asylum calls

Pressure is growing on Australia to allow the athletes to stay after a commentator threatened them over their refusal to sing the national anthem amid the war.

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 03: Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trailblazers drives over the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Frost Bank Center on January 3, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

Culture

Israeli, Turkish stars named to NBA All-Star World team: What to know

Deni Avdija and Alperen Sengun are making their first appearances in the premier basketball league’s all-star game as the sport’s profile in the Middle East grows.

Aerial view of Riyadh at night with illuminated modern skyscrapers and busy streets under a clear dark sky, Al Olaya street.

Analysis

Saudi Arabia downsizes megaprojects, chases cash amid AI push

After years of breakneck spending, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s flagship plan to diversify the oil-dependent economy — dubbed Vision 2030 — is facing a fresh round of delays and recalibration as softer oil prices squeeze public finances and force tougher choices.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel , Jack Dutton

Latest News

Morocco’s markets rise as World Cup spending fuels largest IPO in decades

CASABLANCA, MOROCCO - AUGUST 20: In this handout image from Populous, digital renderings of the proposed Stade Hassan II stadium in Morocco, projected to be the largest football stadium in the world with 115,000 capacity are depicted on August 20, 2024 in Casablanca, Morocco. The stadium design is by Populous and Oulalou + Choi (Photo by Populous via Handout/Getty Images)

Iran’s World Cup players face US visa uncertainty over military service: What to know

Iran’s forward #9 Mehdi Taremi looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers Group A football match between Iran and the North Korea at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on June 10, 2025.

Culture

World Cup: Iran fumes over LGBTQ+ themes as Jordan qualifies for first time

A fan waves a Pride flag before the soccer match between the Seattle Sounders and the Portland Timbers at Lumen Field, on June 3, 2023, in Seattle, Washington.

Culture

AWSN predicts soaring Saudi Arabia demand for women’s sports apparel

Al Nassr Club were crowned champions of the 2024/25 Saudi Women’s Premier League for the third time, securing the title on April 23, 2025. Credit AWSN

Women in Gaza take up boxing despite social stigma

Despite the patriarchal and religious stigma surrounding female sporting activities in the Gaza Strip, several women and girls have joined a boxing team out of love for this sport.

Fight Island in Abu Dhabi concludes Saturday with main event featuring Khabib Nurmagomedov

The undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov will face American Justin Gaethje in an isolated section of Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, which was set up to host the major mixed martial arts event.

Team Emirates rider wins Tour de France as cycling gains legs in Middle East

The region is warming to investments in sports such as cycling as governments in the region seek to expand their sports diplomacy and soft power.

Saudis ready for kingdom’s first women’s soccer league

Saudi female soccer players are eagerly waiting for Saudi Arabia’s first women’s soccer league to be launched in October, after being delayed for months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Beitar Jerusalem fans cheer on their team prior to the UEFA Europa League play-off football match between Beitar Jerusalem and AS Saint-Etienne, at the Itztadion Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on August 17, 2016.
Saint-Etienne beat Beitar Jerusalem 2-1. / AFP / AHMAD GHARABLI (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Abu Dhabi investor surprises Israelis, interested in Jerusalem soccer club

Despite — or because of — the racist attitude of Beitar Jerusalem’s fan club, an Abu Dhabi investor is now interested in investing in the soccer team and developing coexistence.

Gaza women bodybuilding.jpg

Women in Gaza turn to bodybuilding

Despite the fact that bodybuilding is frowned upon in Palestinian society for women, some girls and women in the Gaza Strip have become interested in this sport.

Saudi Arabia permanently cancels license of Qatar's beIN Sports

The popular Doha-based sports network had been officially blocked in Saudi Arabia since the 2017 diplomatic row between the two Gulf countries.

First series of Fight Island UFC events wraps up in Abu Dhabi

Several fighters of Middle Eastern heritage competed in the event without fans in the Emirati city on Sunday.

United Arab Emirates

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - SEPTEMBER 07: Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia compete against Dustin Poirier of United States in their Lightweight Title Bout during the UFC 242 event at The Arena on September 07, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Abu Dhabi to host 'Fight Island' MMA event

The United Arab Emirates will hold the isolated UFC event on Yas Island with health precautions in place, as the combat sport continues to grow in the Middle East.

Players of Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer club involved in sex scandal

When two players of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer club were suspected of sexual relations with minors, club owner Mitchell Goldhar made it clear this was intolerable on all levels.

Turkish NBA player Enes Kanter stands for a portrait holding his jersey during half time after watching his team, the New York Knicks, play the Washington Wizards at the O2 Arena in London on television in White Plains, New York, U.S., January 17, 2019. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs - RC1DBFA4CF40

Turkish NBA player's father acquitted of terrorism charges in Turkey

Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter is an outspoken critic of the Turkish government, which has led to trouble for his family back home.

UAE camel racing to resume following a five-month hiatus

The United Arab Emirates announced the resumption of camel racing, coupled with precautionary guidelines, which is among the most popular sports in the Gulf with prizes sometimes reaching millions of dollars.

United Arab Emirates