WWE has announced that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027, marking the event’s first-ever occurrence outside North America. This decision was made public during a press conference in Las Vegas, where WWE executives emphasized the significance of this move for the brand’s global reach.
The move to Riyadh aligns with the ongoing “Riyadh Season,” a festival that showcases various entertainment events in the region. WWE Chief Creative Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, expressed enthusiasm about the announcement, stating, “This is an opportunity to show the world that WWE is a global brand that reaches every corner of the world and excites fans from everywhere.”
The announcement follows a remark by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. In a now-deleted Snapchat live video, Alalshikh indicated that WrestleMania would be moving to Saudi Arabia. He stated, “WrestleMania is already the biggest date on the wrestling calendar and this announcement marks a significant moment in our partnership with WWE.”
Significance of the Move
WWE has been active in Saudi Arabia since 2018, when it entered into a $1 billion agreement with the Kingdom to host multiple events over a ten-year period. This partnership has allowed WWE to expand its influence in the region significantly, with plans to host the first of its “Big Four” Premium Live Events, the Royal Rumble, in Saudi Arabia next year.
Levesque highlighted the ambition behind this new phase of WrestleMania, stating, “As part of Riyadh Season in 2027, our vision is to elevate this iconic event to unprecedented heights and deliver a WrestleMania unlike anything the world has ever seen.”
The upcoming WrestleMania 42 is scheduled for April 18-19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, marking the second consecutive year the city will host the event. This transition to Riyadh for WrestleMania 43 sets a new precedent for the wrestling franchise, showcasing its commitment to diversifying its audience and engaging fans globally.
As the planning progresses for this historic event, WWE aims to deliver an experience that captivates both local and international wrestling fans, further solidifying its status as a premier entertainment entity. The enthusiasm surrounding the announcement suggests that WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh could be one of the most significant events in the history of professional wrestling.
