The outlook for WWE’s upcoming Saudi Arabia events is growing increasingly uncertain. While nothing has been officially cancelled or decided, most within the industry are operating under the impression that the July premium live event in Saudi Arabia is unlikely to take place.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer addressed the situation in his daily update, placing WWE’s predicament in a broader context. “There were two more shows scheduled this year plus Mania next year. All are contingent on the situation changing as right now big events scheduled for the country are not happening, whether it be Formula 1, UFC, boxing or WWE. For WWE, it’s a significant loss of expected income,” Meltzer wrote.
WWE’s Saudi Partnership Worth Roughly $55 Million Per Event With WrestleMania 43 Also in Question
The stakes are considerable. Each Saudi Arabia event is worth approximately $55 million to WWE under its partnership with the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, with the Royal Rumble believed to carry an even higher value. WWE has held 14 events in the country since the partnership began in 2018, including January’s Royal Rumble in Riyadh — the first of three Saudi PLEs originally planned for 2026, with shows tentatively scheduled for May and November.
Beyond 2026, WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh in 2027 would have been the first WrestleMania ever held outside of North America. That, too, now hangs in the balance. Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer previously reported that internal discussions have taken place within WWE regarding all of these events amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, though he was careful to note that no formal decisions have been made. The situation remains fluid, but the financial consequences for WWE of losing multiple Saudi shows could be substantial.
About the Author
