History Made: WrestleMania 43 to take place in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: In a historic first for professional wrestling, WrestleMania 43 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027, marking the first time WWE’s flagship event steps outside North America. The announcement was officially made in Las Vegas, confirming a major expansion of WWE’s global footprint and its long-standing partnership with Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector.

The news was shared by Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and President of the Saudi Arabian Boxing Federation, alongside WWE’s Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. The announcement, delivered in front of global media and WWE superstars, was hailed as a defining moment in the evolution of the sport and entertainment landscape in the region.

Turki Alalshikh reflected on his long-standing vision for Saudi Arabia’s entertainment future, saying:

“In 2018, I made a promise to change the future by launching bold and meaningful projects today, we deliver on that promise with WrestleMania.”

He added:

“Riyadh Season 2027 will host a WrestleMania unlike anything the world has ever seen. We aim to elevate this legendary event to a whole new level, both in scale and spectacle.”

Triple H praised the enthusiasm of the Saudi audience, stating:

“The energy, passion, and dedication of our fans in Saudi Arabia have been unmatched. Bringing WrestleMania here is a testament to what we’ve built together since 2018.”

The move to Riyadh builds upon WWE’s ongoing collaboration with the General Entertainment Authority, which began in 2018. Since then, Saudi Arabia has hosted several blockbuster WWE events, including Crown Jewel, Super Showdown, and Night of Champions, all of which drew massive global viewership and local fanfare.

WrestleMania’s shift to Riyadh is also a strategic leap forward following the unprecedented success of WrestleMania 41, held earlier this year in Las Vegas. That event broke all previous records to become the highest-grossing WWE event in history.

In addition to hosting WrestleMania in 2027, Riyadh will also welcome the 39th edition of the Royal Rumble in January 2026, further cementing the city’s rising status as a global hub for live entertainment and international sporting spectacles.

With this milestone, Saudi Arabia positions itself as a central stage for one of the world’s most-watched live events, and WWE’s global fan base can expect an edition of WrestleMania that blends tradition with cutting-edge production and a truly international audience.