WrestleMania 43 Set for Riyadh in 2027

WWE has confirmed that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027, marking the first time the company’s flagship event will be held outside North America. The announcement was made by WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, in collaboration with Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority.

This decision builds on WWE’s longstanding partnership with Saudi Arabia, which began in 2018 as part of the country’s Vision 2030 reforms. Since then, Saudi Arabia has hosted several events, including Crown Jewel, Elimination Chamber and Night of Champions, which are often part of Riyadh Season. WrestleMania 43 marks the most significant expansion of this collaboration and is expected to be globally branded as WrestleMania Riyadh.

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions from fans. Many view it as a pivotal step in WWE’s global expansion strategy, allowing the event to reach a new audience and explore untapped markets. However, others have criticised the choice, pointing to human rights issues in Saudi Arabia and expressing disappointment that traditional wrestling centres like London were overlooked for this historic first international WrestleMania. Additionally, wrestling purists have raised concerns about the logistics and atmosphere of hosting the biggest event of the year outside of its traditional U.S. and Canadian venues.

For WWE, the incentives are evident. The financial support provided through Riyadh Season, along with Saudi Arabia’s broader ambitions to become a leading global hub for entertainment and tourism, makes this partnership highly appealing. Hosting WrestleMania in Riyadh offers WWE not only economic benefits but also the chance to enhance its global brand in line with the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.

This development mirrors a broader trend in global sports, with Saudi Arabia attracting major stars and events across different disciplines. A recent example is the announcement  ofTom Brady, coming out of retirement, to participate in a flag football tournament in Riyadh alongside a host of current and former NFL players.