Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz headline as Six Kings Slam 2026 entry field announced
Jannik Sinner is the two-time defending champion of the Six Kings Slam.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will once again return to defend his crown as the Six Kings Slam exhibition event returns to Riyadh this October for the third edition.
The tournament organisers wasted no time locking in this year’s six-man field, with the event confirmed for October 21-24, 2026. The format remains the same as before, with the six top players from the ATP circuit competing in a knockout draw that spans four days.
Since the event isn’t ATP-sanctioned, none of the results counts toward the rankings or official head-to-head records, as it is an exhibition event.
Sinner heads back to Riyadh looking for a third straight title, having beaten Carlos Alcaraz in the final both times so far. Alcaraz returns, too, coming off a wrist injury that sidelined him from the French Open and Wimbledon this year, with the Cincinnati Open and the US Open lined up before Riyadh.
Novak Djokovic, now 39 and still very much a force at the majors, which he proved by reaching the Australian Open final and Wimbledon semi-final, rounds out the trio of Grand Slam heavyweights making the trip once again.
Alexander Zverev returns for a second year, and he arrives after clinching his maiden Slam title at the 2026 Roland Garros, ending his long wait as the best player yet to win one. Taylor Fritz is back as well, continuing to be one of the big names despite a modest season so far.
The notable absence is Jack Draper, last year’s British entrant, who has missed most of the action this year due to a recurring injury. Stepping into his spot is Alex de Minaur, who will also make his Six Kings Slam debut.
“I’m thrilled to make my Six Kings Slam debut this year. I’ve heard great things about the event, and I’m looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere and competing in Riyadh for the first time”, said De Minaur after making the cut for the Riyadh event.
Money remains the headline act alongside the tennis. Each of the six players is guaranteed roughly $1.5 million just for showing up, with the champion walking away with a total of $6 million. The event will stream exclusively on Netflix.
When will the Six Kings Slam 2026 event take place?
The 2026 edition of the Six Kings Slam, marking its third consecutive year, will take place from October 21–24 in Riyadh.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.