Kazakhstan's Almaty Named Host City of the 2029 Asian Winter Games After NEOM's Trojena Withdrawal

"On February 5, 2026, Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest metropolis, was officially declared the host city of the 2029 Asian Winter Games. The Host City Contract was signed between the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan during a ceremony in Milan, Italy, one of the host cities of the ongoing Winter Olympics. Established in 1986 in Sapporo, Japan, the Asian Winter Games will mark their tenth edition in 2029 and are held approximately every four years."

"According to the organizations, the change in location and timeline "follows extensive consultations between the two organizations and reflects a shared strategic commitment to the long-term and sustainable development of winter sports," without citing specific reasons. The decision comes around three years after Trojena was announced as host in 2022, reportedly due to delays in the construction of the sports complex."

"Almaty was the capital of Kazakhstan until 1997, when the capital moved to Astana. It remains the country's largest city, with a population of around two million. Located in southeastern Kazakhstan, near the border with Kyrgyzstan, the region is known for its wild apple forests and a continental climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters. Surrounded by mountains, the city offers year-round opportunities for hiking and skiing."

Almaty, Kazakhstan, was officially declared the host city for the 2029 Asian Winter Games on February 5, 2026, following a Host City Contract signed by the Olympic Council of Asia and the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Milan. The 2029 edition will be the tenth Asian Winter Games, held roughly every four years since 1986. The Games were relocated from Trojena in NEOM, Saudi Arabia, after consultations and cited commitments to long-term, sustainable winter-sports development amid reported construction delays. Key sports include Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, short-track speed skating, ski mountaineering, snowboarding, and speed skating. Almaty, a mountain-surrounded city of about two million and former capital, offers year-round outdoor and winter-sport opportunities.

Read at ArchDaily