For the first time in its history, WWE’s flagship event, WrestleMania, will be held outside of North America. The company announced Friday that WrestleMania 43 is scheduled for 2027 in Saudi Arabia as a featured part of the Riyadh Season.
This landmark decision marks the second major WWE premium live event slated for the Saudi capital, following the announcement that the Royal Rumble will also take place in the city this coming January.
The move deepens a lucrative partnership that began in 2018 when WWE signed a 10-year deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, valued at approximately $50 million per show. The country has regularly hosted WWE events since, including Night of Champions last June.
In May, Mark Shapiro, the COO of WWE’s parent company TKO, signaled the company’s intent to expand its relationship with Saudi Arabia within the next six to twelve months.
TKO’s collaboration with the Kingdom extends beyond professional wrestling. In March, the company launched a new boxing promotion in partnership with UFC CEO Dana White, WWE President Nick Khan, and prominent Saudi Arabian boxing financier Turki Alalshikh. The promotion is behind the upcoming super middleweight championship fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford in Las Vegas.
Before its 2027 international debut, WrestleMania is scheduled to be held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in both 2025 and 2026. The decision to bring WWE’s premier showcase to Riyadh opens the door for future WrestleManias to be hosted in other global destinations.
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