Featured image credit: Ed Webster/CC BY 2.0
US wrestling promotion WWE has announced plans to host its 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
WWE has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority to stage the event, which will mark the first time the Royal Rumble has taken place outside of North America.
WWE has not confirmed the venue for the event. Previously, Riyadh’s Mohammed Abdo Arena has hosted WWE events.
Royal Rumble is one of WWE’s premium live events and includes both a men’s and women’s match, with the winners eliminating all opponents and securing a championship opportunity at WrestleMania.
The event will form part of the Riyadh Season series of events. The announcement marks a continued expansion of WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia, which has hosted events such as Crown Jewel, Elimination Chamber, King & Queen of the Ring, Night of Champions, SmackDown and Monday Night Raw.
HE Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the board of directors at the GEA, said: “Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Royal Rumble for the first time outside North America reflects the General Entertainment Authority’s ongoing commitment to bringing the world’s largest and most important entertainment events to the Kingdom.
“Through this partnership with WWE, we aim to enhance the entertainment sector and deliver a transformative experience that attracts a wide audience.”
The next Royal Rumble will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, on February 1. Last year’s event took place at Tropicana Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays.
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