Saudi Arabia set to cancel Joy Awards amid budget cuts, sources say
The reported cancellation comes as Saudi Arabia reassesses spending priorities amid financial strain
Saudi Arabia is set to cancel next year’s Joy Awards, the star-studded entertainment ceremony held annually in Riyadh, as financial pressures lead to cuts in culture and entertainment spending, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The event, which takes place each January, has become a major fixture on Riyadh’s events calendar, attracting international performers including Katy Perry and Robbie Williams this year. The awards recognise achievements across music, entertainment and sport.
The reported cancellation comes as Saudi Arabia reassesses spending priorities amid financial strain and the wider impact of the Iran war. Industry sources told Reuters that budget cuts had already begun before the conflict, putting pressure on the kingdom’s plans to establish itself as a major destination for tourism and international events under its Vision 2030 programme.
The General Entertainment Authority, which organises the Joy Awards alongside Saudi media conglomerate MBC Group, did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment. MBC Group and the Saudi government’s media office also did not respond.
The Joy Awards are the latest major entertainment event to face cancellation or postponement in Saudi Arabia. The Red Sea Film Festival was postponed until 2027 last month, while organisers also cancelled Soundstorm, the large desert music festival scheduled for December. Soundstorm, which attracted hundreds of thousands of attendees and featured Cardi B as a headliner last year, is expected to return in 2027.
The Red Sea Film Festival was launched in 2021 as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to develop its film industry after the kingdom ended its decades-long ban on cinemas. Industry sources said uncertainty surrounding the Iran war had also made it more difficult to secure international stars for events.
The reported changes come alongside wider reductions or delays affecting several major Saudi projects. These include the planned development of The Line at NEOM and a $50 billion cube-shaped structure in Riyadh. Two people familiar with the matter also told Reuters that plans for the NEOM Stadium, one of the projects linked to the 2034 FIFA World Cup, are being quietly shelved.
Mazen Hayek, a Dubai-based media consultant, said the war and its wider economic effects were prompting Gulf states to reconsider their spending priorities. He noted that some major events had been designed not only as entertainment ventures but also as tools for international visibility and influence.
Not all major events are facing cuts. The Future Investment Initiative, a flagship event aimed at driving investment into Saudi Arabia, is still scheduled to take place later this month, according to organisers.
For now, the Joy Awards cancellation has not been officially announced by the organisers. If confirmed, it would mark a significant pause for one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent entertainment events as the kingdom reassesses spending across its expanding cultural and events sector.
