In a move that has sent shockwaves through the world of professional wrestling, WWE has officially announced that WrestleMania 43 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in April 2027. This historic decision marks the first time in the company’s storied history that its flagship annual event will take place outside the United States, signaling both a bold new direction for WWE and a testament to the growing significance of its partnership with Saudi Arabia.
The announcement, made on September 12, 2025, has been met with a mix of excitement, speculation, and curiosity from fans and industry insiders alike. According to DraftKings, since 2018, WWE has steadily expanded its presence in Saudi Arabia, hosting 14 premium live events (PLEs) and three episodes of its weekly television programming in the Kingdom. However, WrestleMania—along with SummerSlam and the Royal Rumble—has always remained on American soil, with the lone exception of SummerSlam 1992 at London’s Wembley Stadium. That’s about to change in a big way.
As reported by The National, the road to this landmark moment will be paved by another first: the Royal Rumble, one of WWE’s “big three” events, is set to take place in Saudi Arabia on January 31, 2026. This will mark the first time a major WWE spectacle is hosted outside the US or Canada since that iconic SummerSlam in 1992. The Royal Rumble’s Saudi debut is seen as a precursor and test run for the even grander stage of WrestleMania the following year.
WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia has always been a high-profile affair, often punctuated by the return of legendary performers. Past events in the Kingdom have featured comebacks from icons such as Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, and Goldberg—names that evoke nostalgia and draw global audiences. With WrestleMania 43 now confirmed for Riyadh, speculation is running wild about which retired superstars might be enticed to step back into the spotlight. The rumor mill is churning with the possibility of The Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin making appearances, given their previous willingness to lace up their boots for special occasions in Saudi Arabia.
Potential dream matches are already being discussed with the kind of fervor only wrestling fans can muster. According to DraftKings, some of the most tantalizing hypothetical bouts include The Rock vs. Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes—a triple threat that would pit three generations of wrestling royalty against each other. Other fantasy matchups floated for the Riyadh card are The Undertaker vs. Gunther, Chris Jericho vs. John Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. CM Punk, and Shawn Michaels vs. AJ Styles. While these matches remain speculative for now, the mere suggestion of such star-studded lineups has already set social media abuzz.
The significance of bringing WrestleMania to Saudi Arabia extends far beyond the squared circle. Since 2018, the Kingdom’s investment in WWE has been part of a broader strategy to position itself as a major player in global sports and entertainment. Hosting marquee events like WrestleMania is seen as a way to showcase Saudi Arabia’s modernizing ambitions, attract tourism, and promote its Vision 2030 agenda. For WWE, the move represents a calculated effort to expand its international footprint and tap into new markets, further solidifying its status as a global entertainment powerhouse.
But why now, and why Saudi Arabia? The answer lies in a combination of business strategy, fan enthusiasm, and the evolving landscape of live entertainment. WWE’s foray into Saudi Arabia began in earnest with the 2018 Greatest Royal Rumble, and since then, each successive event has drawn larger crowds, greater media attention, and bigger stars. The Kingdom’s willingness to invest heavily in securing top-tier talent and producing lavish spectacles has made it an attractive partner for WWE, whose leadership has been increasingly focused on growing the brand’s global reach.
According to The National, the announcement of WrestleMania 43’s location comes on the heels of a memorable showdown in Riyadh, where John Cena faced off against CM Punk during a Night of Champions event at Kingdom Arena. The image of Cena and Punk—two of the industry’s most recognizable figures—battling it out in front of a passionate Saudi crowd was seen by many as a harbinger of even grander showdowns to come. If the energy and spectacle of that night are any indication, WrestleMania 43 promises to be a truly global celebration of sports entertainment.
For WWE fans, the news is both thrilling and bittersweet. WrestleMania has long been synonymous with American pop culture, often held in iconic stadiums like Madison Square Garden, the Superdome, or AT&T Stadium in Texas. The event is more than just a wrestling show—it’s a weeklong festival that brings together fans from around the world for a celebration of athleticism, storytelling, and larger-than-life personalities. Moving the spectacle to Riyadh marks a significant shift in tradition, but also opens the door to new experiences, audiences, and possibilities.
Of course, the decision to host WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia is not without controversy. WWE’s partnership with the Kingdom has drawn criticism in the past, with some fans and human rights organizations raising concerns about the country’s record on various social and political issues. WWE executives have consistently maintained that their international events are intended to promote cultural exchange and entertainment, not politics. Still, the debate is likely to intensify as the date draws nearer and the world’s eyes turn to Riyadh for wrestling’s biggest night.
Looking ahead, the anticipation for WrestleMania 43 is already building to a fever pitch. Will legends like The Undertaker or Stone Cold Steve Austin make one more walk down the aisle? Could we see dream matches that fans have only dared to imagine? And what will the spectacle look like in a setting as unique and ambitious as Saudi Arabia? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the world will be watching.
With the Royal Rumble serving as the first act in January 2026 and WrestleMania 43 poised to make history in April 2027, WWE is embarking on a bold new chapter—one that promises to redefine what’s possible in the world of sports entertainment. As the countdown begins, fans and critics alike are left to wonder: what surprises does the grandest stage of them all have in store when it lands in Riyadh?
WrestleMania’s move to Saudi Arabia marks a watershed moment for WWE and the global wrestling community, setting the stage for an event unlike any that has come before.
