WWE and Saudi Arabia have been tangoing since 2018, with major events hosted under a flashy 10-year deal. In 2025, we’ve seen just one event down there, but 2026 is shaping up to be a bombshell year. Could WrestleMania be next? Let’s unpack this wrestling intrigue.
One Event in 2025 But What a Show
After years of two mega-shows per year, WWE scaled back to just one Saudi event in 2025 a Night of Champions in Riyadh in June. That’s the first time WWE has only held one Middle East event since the pandemic. Planning is ongoing, but the June date in Jeddah remains the sole confirmed stop.
Royal Rumble Goes Global in 2026
Hold onto your chair WWE will stage the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh. That’s huge. It’s the first time this “Big Five” event takes place outside North America. WWE positioning themselves in Saudi means bigger global reach and deeper pockets.
WrestleMania in Saudi? Big Dreams or Bigger Reality?
Rumors are swirling like a spinning title belt. Saudi’s entertainment chief, Turki Al-Sheikh, teased “a massive entertainment event” in 2027 many think that could be WrestleMania, possibly even two in one year. WWE might roll out a Super WrestleMania, echoing the 2018 Greatest Royal Rumble. And yes, The Rock is their dream headliner.
WWE’s Saudi Arabia Strategy
| Year | Key Event(s) | What’s Next? |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Only Night of Champions in Riyadh | One event only, planning in progress |
| 2026 | Royal Rumble in Riyadh (first outside North Amer.) | WWE’s biggest show migrations begin |
| 2027+ | Rumored WrestleMania-level event or two | Saudi pushing hard could headline be The Rock? |
Conclusion
So what’s the angle here? WWE’s shifting from a steady two-shows-that-count approach in Saudi to a strategic ramp-up that hints at its grandest move yet possibly WrestleMania in the desert. First a lone 2025 event, then the Royal Rumble in 2026, and now hype for a WrestleMania spectacle in 2027. Saudi’s playbook is bold, WWE’s next chapter looks massive and fans everywhere are leaning in for the ride.