Olympic Council of Asia welcomes Saudi bid to host 2029 Asian Winter Games in NEOM

The Olympic Council of Asia has welcomeed Saudi's bid to host 2029 Asian Winter Games. (Arriyadiyah)
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Updated 05 August 2022
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Olympic Council of Asia welcomes Saudi bid to host 2029 Asian Winter Games in NEOM

  • The Kingdom is looking to host the ninth tournament, which launched in 1986

The Olympic Council of Asia on Thursday welcomed the official request submitted by the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee to host the ninth Asian Winter Games in Trojena, NEOM in 2029, Arabic language daily Arriyadiyah reported.

The Kuwait-based council said in a press statement: “The general assembly scheduled to be hosted in Cambodia on October 4 will make the decision on the (Saudi) Kingdom’s bid to host the tournament, which launched its first edition in Japan in 1986, and is considered the largest sports winter event in the Asian continent.”

The council praised the efforts to promote winter sports in countries that do not have a traditional snow season, particularly in a city that is characterized by distinctive and innovative architecture: “It will provide a unique experience in West Asia and Middle East region for winter sports.”

It also highlighted that the city in northwest Saudi Arabia, which is being developed as a winter sports destination within the framework of the country’s’s Vision 2030 program, is a place where natural landscapes coexist with tourist sites.

After submitting the official bid on Wednesday, President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said: “The bid to host the AWG affirms the geographical, environmental diversity and natural wealth that the Kingdom enjoys and is willing to share with our wider Asian Olympic family. We are very excited to welcome all Winter Sports enthusiasts in 2029, aiming to celebrate an incomparable experience in Trojena.”


International field confirmed for LIV Golf Promotions at Black Diamond

Updated 15 sec ago
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International field confirmed for LIV Golf Promotions at Black Diamond

  • The four-day, 72-hole stroke play event presents one of the most dynamic entry points into the global golf ecosystem

NEW YORK: LIV Golf on Monday announced the preliminary field for the third edition of LIV Golf Promotions, set for Jan. 8–11, 2026, at the acclaimed Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida. 

The four-day, 72-hole stroke play event presents one of the most dynamic entry points into the global golf ecosystem, offering coveted spots in the 2026 LIV Golf League and The International Series, sanctioned by the Asian Tour.

Highlighting the global aspect of the LIV Golf League, leading players from all over the world are eligible to participate, with 87 players representing 24 countries registered to compete. 

This year’s field features a strong blend of emerging global talent and proven professionals, with an average age of 30 years old, including former top-50-ranked players, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup participants, winners on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Asian Tour, and additional rising stars in the game.

“The evolution of LIV Golf Promotions reflects our continued commitment to creating truly open and competitive pathways for players from all over the world to compete at the sport’s highest levels,” said LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil. 

“We’re seeing world-class talent, from decorated former amateurs to experienced professionals, all seizing the opportunity to compete for their place in the League alongside major champions, Hall of Famers, and rising stars.”

LIV Golf Promotions will consist of four rounds of 18-hole stroke play. Those who finish in the top 20 and ties from the first round will advance to Friday’s second round, where scores will reset, and the field will be joined by a category of players who automatically qualified for day two of competition. The top 20 players and any ties following round two will advance to the third day of competition, with scores reset once more. A 36-hole shootout will commence, and at Sunday’s conclusion, the top two finishers will earn two highly coveted spots in the LIV Golf League for 2026, as well as $200,000 for first place and $150,000 for second place. The top 10 finishers, including ties, will earn full exemption into the 2026 International Series.

The current field features many standout names, including:

• Chris Wood (England): 2016 Ryder Cup player and three-time European Tour winner

• Pablo Ereno (Spain): 2025 Palmer Cup player and former sixth-ranked player in World Amateur Golf Rankings

• Miguel Tabuena (Philippines): Two-time Olympian and third-ranked player in 2025 International Series standings

• Christopher Wood (Australia): Current top-ranked player on the PGA Tour of Australasia

• Yuxin Lin (China): Two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion

• Alex Levy (France): Five-time DP World Tour winner.

LIV Golf League players without a 2026 team commitment who finished the season in the Open Zone (25th-48th), as well as relegated players (49th-54th), also have an opportunity to secure their playing rights for the 2026 season.

Several returning LIV Golf players are entered in the field, including Ben Campbell, who competed with RangeGoats GC and finished the season ranked 36th in the LIV Golf standings; Matt Jones, formerly of Ripper GC, who concluded the year in 40th place; and Anthony Kim, a three-time PGA Tour winner and former world No. 6 who was a member of the victorious 2008 US Ryder Cup team, finishing the season ranked 55th.

For more information, including the list of eligibility criteria, visit LIVGolf.com.