Kazakhstan’s Almaty to host 2029 Asian Winter Games replacing Saudi Arabia’s Neom

 

Kazakhstan’s Almaty named the host city for the 2029 Asian Winter Games    

Almaty has officially been named the host city for the 2029 Asian Winter Games, replacing the Trojena ski resort planned within Saudi Arabia’s Neom mega development, after the original plans were indefinitely postponed amid concerns over financing, sustainability and construction timelines.

The decision was confirmed on Saturday during a ceremony in Milan, where the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced that Kazakhstan’s largest city would stage the 10th edition of the Games. A Host City Contract was signed between the OCA and the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, formally completing the relocation.

From desert ambition to alpine certainty

The 2029 Asian Winter Games were initially awarded in 2022 to Trojena, a futuristic year-round mountain resort envisioned as part of Neom in north-western Saudi Arabia. The bid was promoted as a bold statement, promising winter sports competitions in a desert setting.

 

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However, those ambitions faced growing challenges. Saudi Arabia and the OCA jointly announced last month that the Neom-hosted Games would be postponed indefinitely. While no single reason was cited, the move followed sustained questions around financial viability, environmental sustainability, safety and the pace of construction.

Delays and mounting financial pressures

Trojena is a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy through tourism, sport and technology. Designed by leading international architecture firms, the 60-square-kilometre resort was planned as a renewable-energy-powered destination featuring artificial snowmaking.

Yet reports of construction delays and cost pressures have raised doubts about its readiness. Neom is understood to be undergoing a broader internal review, including cost reassessments and potential workforce reductions. Against the backdrop of lower oil revenues and other major commitments—such as Riyadh Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup—the postponement has been widely viewed as a pragmatic recalibration.

Saudi officials have acknowledged the need for flexibility, with Finance Minister Mohammed Al Jadaan previously stating that projects would be reassessed when circumstances require.

Almaty’s established winter sports credentials

For the OCA, selecting Almaty offers experience and certainty. The city successfully hosted the Asian Winter Games in 2011 and already has well-developed venues, mountain infrastructure and organisational expertise. Located at the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, Almaty benefits from reliable natural winter conditions, reducing reliance on large-scale artificial systems.

 

Read More        Saudi Arabia postpones 2029 Asian Winter Games to be held in Trojena

 

Nearby resorts such as Shymbulak and Ak Bulak have long positioned Almaty as a regional centre for skiing and alpine sports.

Growing global tourism profile

Beyond sport, Almaty has steadily enhanced its international tourism standing. The city recently received a Special Recognition Award for Tourism Innovation and Urban Transformation at the Global Tourism Forum 2025 in Brussels, highlighting progress in sustainable development, urban planning and liveability.

Investments in green spaces, pedestrian-friendly areas, cycling infrastructure and digital tourism services have helped transform Almaty into a year-round destination. Improved air connectivity and visa-free access for many nationalities have further boosted its appeal to international visitors.

A symbolic shift for the Games

The relocation of the 2029 Asian Winter Games signals a broader shift in approach. While Neom represented a vision of futuristic spectacle and desert transformation, Almaty offers continuity, realism and proven capacity. For the OCA, the move restores certainty after months of uncertainty; for Kazakhstan, it reinforces the country’s position on the Asian sporting and tourism stage.

Saudi Arabia has indicated it will continue to host winter sports events on a smaller scale in the coming years. The 2029 Asian Winter Games, however, will now take place against a familiar alpine backdrop rather than an untested futuristic setting.

Source: https://traveltomorrow.com/