Sports

WWE Makes WrestleMania Saudi Arabia Plans Clear Amid Rumors

WrestleMania 42 is only days away from happening in Las Vegas for the second straight year, but many fans are already looking towards what’s happening next year for WWE‘s biggest weekend.

Although New Orleans was supposed to host this year’s WrestleMania, it was moved back to Las Vegas following record business last year, and the south won’t be getting the marquee show in 2027 either.

WrestleMania 43 is set to emanate from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Over the past month, there have been rumors that the event could be moving again, similar to what happened in New Orleans.

Along with the strife in the Middle East, there have been numerous reports that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has sponsored a laundry list of sporting endeavors, including WWE, is shifting its approach.

LIV Golf is rumored to have its PIF backing stripped away following the upcoming season, and even more recently, PIF sold a 70% stake in Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.

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While those concerns are still hanging over the WWE, Saudi Arabia WrestleMania is still the concrete plan, company president Nick Khan announced on Thursday at the SBJ CAA World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles.

"We're doing WrestleMania next year in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “First time ever, WrestleMania will be outside the United States or Canada, and we've had a big, fruitful partnership with them. … When we go, it doesn't have to be only here [in America]. Our fans will tune in, no matter where we go.”

WWE already had one of its biggest events of the year, the Royal Rumble, set in Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

In the main event, Roman Reigns won the men’s Royal Rumble match to set up Sunday’s WrestleMania 42 main event against world heavyweight champion CM Punk.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 8:17 PM.

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