The next Asian Winter Games will be in Kazakhstan
Since Saudi Arabia cannot finish its venues in time, Almaty will now host the Asian Winter Games in 2029 for the 2nd time after 2011.
What a surprise at the beginning of the Olympic Winter Games in Italy: Kazakhstan will replace Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2029 Asian Winter Games, with the country’s largest city, Almaty, selected as the new host city. The decision was announced Thursday by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), marking a surprising and magnificent moment for winter sports in Central Asia.
The Games had originally been planned for Trojena, the ski resort who is part of Neom, the ambitious planned city on the Red Sea in northwestern Saudi Arabia. However, the OCA confirmed the relocation during announcements made on the sidelines of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
OCA President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani praised Kazakhstan’s commitment to winter sports development and expressed confidence in the country’s ability to deliver a memorable event.
“Almaty is a city with deep connections to winter sports and we have very fond memories of when we last hosted the Asian Winter Games in 2011,” he said at a press conference.
“We have no doubt we will build on this legacy and deliver an unforgettable Games in 2029.”
Almaty previously co-hosted the 2011 Asian Winter Games, widely regarded as a successful edition that showcased Kazakhstan’s organizational capacity and modern sports infrastructure. Many of the venues built or upgraded for those Games remain in use today, providing a strong foundation for 2029 with comparatively limited new construction required.
One of the city’s greatest strengths is its geography. Almaty lies at the foot of the Trans Ile-Alatau mountains, part of the famous Tian Shan mountains, allowing world-class winter sports facilities to exist within minutes of the urban center — including ski jumps located right within the city itself. This rare proximity between metropolis and mountains makes the destination particularly attractive for international competitions.
The region is also home to the famous Shymbulak ski resort, located between the legendary Medeu ice rink and the scenic Talgar Pass. Shymbulak is one of Central Asia’s most popular winter sports destinations, offering modern lifts, competition-ready slopes, and reliable snow conditions, all within a short drive from downtown Almaty. Its proximity to Medeu — historically one of the fastest skating rinks in the world where numerous speed skating records were set.
With its long winter sports tradition, proven experience from 2011, and modern infrastructure already in place, Almaty is widely seen as a natural choice for the Asian Winter Games. The 2029 edition is expected not only to showcase top athletic performance but also to reinforce Kazakhstan’s growing role as a hub for winter sports tourism and international events.
Organizers now aim to build on the legacy of the past while improving the existing venues, ensuring that the Asian Winter Games return to Central Asia with renewed energy and global attention.