Saudi Arabia to Host Major WWE Event in 2026

WWE has officially announced that the 2026 Royal Rumble will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This marks the first time in the event’s 39-year history that it will be held outside the United States.

The Royal Rumble, traditionally second only to WrestleMania in terms of prestige, is one of WWE’s most iconic premium live events. Known for its thrilling 30-person over-the-top-rope elimination matches for both men and women, the Royal Rumble offers the winners a coveted championship opportunity at WrestleMania.

The 2026 edition will be the 39th annual Royal Rumble and the first to be held outside North America, marking a historic shift for the event. WWE President Nick Khan emphasized the significance of this move, stating,

WWE is a global enterprise, and it only made sense to expand our relationship with the Kingdom by bringing one of our biggest annual events to Riyadh in January of 2026.

WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia began in 2014 with non-televised live events, but it became more formalized in 2018 with the “Greatest Royal Rumble” pay-per-view event.

This marked the start of a 10-year partnership between WWE and the Kingdom, which runs through 2027. Since then, Saudi Arabia has hosted several major WWE events, including Crown Jewel, Elimination Chamber, King & Queen of the Ring, Night of Champions, and even episodes of SmackDown and Monday Night Raw.

“Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Royal Rumble for the first time outside North America reflects the General Entertainment Authority’s ongoing commitment to bringing the world’s largest and most important entertainment events to the Kingdom,” Alalshikh said in a statement. “Through this partnership with WWE, we aim to enhance the entertainment sector and deliver a transformative experience that attracts a wide audience.”