Saudi Arabia eyes cancellation of 2027 Joy Awards amid budget pressures

Saudi Arabia is expected to cancel the next Joy Awards, its high-profile January ceremony celebrating music, entertainment and sports, as the kingdom reassesses spending amid financial pressures and the regional war involving Iran. Budget cuts were reportedly underway before the war, and the decision would add to disruptions affecting the country’s entertainment calendar, including the postponement of the Red Sea Film Festival. The pullback also reflects broader delays and cutbacks to major Saudi projects as the government weighs its Vision 2030 ambitions against other spending priorities.