Max SteventonLive events across the Gulf states continue to be disrupted as the Iran–US war escalates in the region.
Following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, and Iran’s retaliatory attacks on American allies in the Middle East, including the UAE and Qatar, numerous events have been cancelled or postponed.
Formula 1 has been among the worst affected. Last week, the sport’s governing body, the FIA, hinted that races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain could be called off. On Friday (13 March) these cancellations were confirmed – the first F1 cancellations since the 2023 Italian Grand Prix, which was called off due to flooding.
The Bahrain Grand Prix was scheduled for 10–12 April, with the Saudi Arabian race a week later. No replacement dates have been announced, leaving a gap in the F1 calendar. F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said, “While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East.”
In football, the Finalissima match due on 27 March in Qatar, featuring European champions Spain against South American champions Argentina, has also been cancelled. Despite alternative proposals offered to Argentina, UEFA stated: “It is a source of great disappointment to UEFA and the organisers that circumstances and timing have denied the teams the chance to compete for this prestigious prize in Qatar.”
The conflict has also led to the cancellation of Eid celebrations in the region. Dubai’s Global Village Eid fireworks, which usually attract thousands of spectators, have been called off.
Live music has likewise been disrupted. Josh Groban cancelled his Bahrain and Dubai concerts scheduled for 25 and 27 March, while the Filipino group SexBomb Girls have postponed their shows in Dubai and Abu Dhabi later this month. Touring artists such as Kesha, Andy C, and Charlotte de Witte have also cancelled shows around the world due to travel disruptions caused by the conflict.
The economic implications are apparent. Estimates from the World Travel & Tourism Council put the economic impact for travel and tourism in the region at $600,000 million per day. With little sign of the conflict coming to an end, the live events industry in the region, one of the fastest growing in the world, is facing one of its biggest challenges yet.