Force Majeure & Sports Event Cancellations: The Legal Impact in the Middle East

Recent military activity across the Middle East has had a significant knock-on effect on multiple sectors, including sport. Several countries in the region have been directly or indirectly impacted, leading to disruption at both professional and international levels. As a result, a number of high-profile sporting events in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have been cancelled or postponed, affecting athletes, organizers, sponsors, and broadcasters.

Understanding the intersection of force majeure and sports event cancellations is now more critical than ever for legal professionals operating in the region. Among the most notable disruptions:

• Major regional football fixtures and league matches have been postponed due to safety concerns and logistical challenges;

• International exhibition matches and tournaments scheduled in the UAE have been cancelled;

• Motorsport and entertainment-linked sporting events in Saudi Arabia have faced delays or rescheduling;

• Various multi-sport and promotional events tied to seasonal sports calendars have been suspended.

These developments raise important legal questions around contractual obligations, force majeure clauses, insurance claims, and liability across jurisdictions.

We are hosting a free webinar titled “The Legal Impact of Sports Event Cancellations and Postponements in the Middle East.” This session aims to examine the implications of these disruptions, offer practical insights, and discuss how stakeholders can effectively navigate the complexities of force majeure & sports event cancellations.

Steven Bainbridge, Co-Chair of the Sports Business Industry Group, has deep experience in the sports sector, advising clients on matters including governance issues, athlete endorsement agreements, player contracts, regulatory issues, broadcasting, anti-ambush marketing strategies, merchandising and licensing regulations and agreements, disciplinary issues, and sports-specific venue management agreements. He advises clients, including foreign law firms, corporate entities, government bodies, individuals, and institutions related to sports including motorsports, horseracing, triathlons, mixed martial arts (MMA), rugby and football, cycling, golf, tennis, cricket, and others.

Steven has law firm experience in both North America and Japan, in addition to his work in Dubai. In Tokyo he worked on matters related to broadcasting rights and sponsorship contracts in connection with FIFA World Cups, X-Games, PGA tour sponsorships, videogame licensing, and stadium naming rights deals.

This is a free live webinar where we’ll explore:

This live session is designed to provide clarity on force majeure & sports event cancellations by addressing:

• What are the key legal and commercial challenges faced by rights holders, sponsors, broadcasters, and event operators when an emergency disrupts or leads to the cancellation of a sporting event?
• How do governing law and jurisdiction choices affect the outcome of disputes arising from event cancellations?
• How insurance coverage should be structured in relation to large-scale sporting event disruptions?
• Practical steps for sports organisations and investors to better protect themselves contractually against sudden events’ cancellations.