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Saudi Arabia’s flagship technology conference, LEAP Tech Event, has been officially postponed to late August 2026 as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt major international gatherings.
Event pushed to late summer
Originally scheduled for April 2026, the fifth edition of LEAP will now take place from August 31 to September 3 at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre in Malham, Riyadh.
Organizers said the decision followed extensive consultations with global partners and stakeholders to ensure strong international participation and a full lineup of speakers, investors, and technology companies.
The rescheduling reflects growing uncertainty across the region, as the ongoing 2026 Iran war continues to impact travel, logistics, and large-scale events.
War-driven disruptions across the region
The conflict, which escalated in late February 2026, has led to missile and drone attacks across several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, raising security concerns and complicating international travel.
As a result, multiple high-profile events have been affected:
- The Arabian Travel Market 2026 has been postponed by several months
- Formula 1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled
- Other business and tech conferences have also adjusted schedules or delayed editions
This wave of postponements highlights how deeply the conflict is reshaping the Middle East’s events and tourism calendar.
A key platform for global tech investment
Since its launch in 2022, LEAP has rapidly evolved into one of the world’s largest technology gatherings, attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees and billions of dollars in investment commitments.
The 2025 edition alone drew over 200,000 visitors and secured nearly $15 billion in deals, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global hub for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure.
Major partnerships announced at previous editions include multi-billion-dollar agreements in AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing—positioning the event as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy.
Looking ahead
Despite the delay, organizers emphasize that the move to late summer will help preserve LEAP’s global scale and impact. The 2026 edition is expected to bring together founders, investors, policymakers, and tech leaders to explore emerging fields such as AI, deep tech, gaming, and smart cities.
Further announcements regarding speakers, partners, and program highlights are expected in the coming months.
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