When Vince McMahon launched the very first WrestleMania in 1985 from Madison Square Garden, the dream was to create a spectacle that transcended professional wrestling. Four decades later, WrestleMania has become not just a wrestling event, but a global cultural phenomenon. Cities fight to host it, local economies thrive from it, and fans treat it as a pilgrimage.
Now, for the first time in history, WrestleMania will leave North America.
On September 12, WWE and the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, led by HE Turki Alalshikh, announced that WrestleMania 43 will be staged in Riyadh during Riyadh Season 2027. The news marks one of the most groundbreaking moves in sports-entertainment history.
“WrestleMania is already the biggest date on the wrestling calendar and this announcement marks a significant moment in our partnership with WWE,” said Alalshikh. “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.”
WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque echoed the sentiment:
“HE Turki Alalshikh and GEA have made a massive impact on the world of sports and entertainment. They have been phenomenal partners to WWE and we look forward to working with them to bring WrestleMania 43 to new heights.”
The Global Era of WrestleMania
The partnership between WWE and Saudi Arabia began in 2018 and has since brought blockbuster shows like Crown Jewel, Elimination Chamber, and King & Queen of the Ring to the Kingdom. With the 2026 Royal Rumble also confirmed for Riyadh, WWE has clearly cemented Saudi Arabia as one of its premier global markets.
It’s more than just a business deal — it’s a statement. WrestleMania is no longer just an American tradition; it’s a world event.
John Cena’s Farewell Tour Nears Its End
As WrestleMania prepares to expand globally, one of WWE’s greatest icons is preparing for his final bow. John Cena, 17-time World Champion and face of an entire generation, announced that his farewell tour will make its last stops at two of the most important arenas in his career:
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Nov. 10 – TD Garden, Boston
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Nov. 17 – Madison Square Garden, New York City
In Boston, Cena twice raised a world title. In New York, he claimed his first Royal Rumble victory in 2008, cementing his place among the greats.
WWE is offering Raw Priority Pass VIP packages through On Location, giving fans access to premium seating, hospitality, and Superstar meet-and-greets. For longtime Cena fans, this may be the last chance to say goodbye in person.
The farewell tour officially ends in December — and with it, the in-ring career of one of WWE’s most polarizing yet beloved legends.
NXT Back on the Road
WWE’s developmental brand, NXT, is getting back to its roots with a rare Midwest tour. For the first time in more than five years, NXT will host live events in:
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Columbus, OH (Oct. 9, KEMBA Live!)
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Detroit, MI (Oct. 10, The Masonic Temple)
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Cleveland, OH (Oct. 11, The Agora Theatre)
The cards will feature champions like Oba Femi, Jacy Jayne, Ethan Page, Sol Ruca, and TNA Champion Trick Williams. Tickets go on sale Sept. 10 via AXS.com.
For NXT fans, these shows are a reminder of what first made the brand special — intimate venues, rabid crowds, and the chance to see tomorrow’s stars before they hit the main roster.
WWE’s Expanding Partnerships: From College Football to Paris Saint-Germain
In a clear sign that WWE wants its brand everywhere, the company announced a wave of new collaborations.
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Collegiate Legacy Belts: WWE unveiled 19 new university-branded championship belts, featuring schools like Clemson, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Auburn, and Iowa State. These belts, available on WWEShop and Fanatics, add to the original collection launched in 2024 and strengthen WWE’s ties to college athletics.
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Paris Saint-Germain Partnership: WWE and PSG revealed a long-term collaboration that includes co-branded merchandise, content development, and community programs. This announcement came alongside WWE’s first-ever French Premium Live Event, Clash in Paris (Aug. 31, 2025), showcasing how WWE continues to blend wrestling with global pop culture.
Las Vegas: The Combat Sports Capital
In Las Vegas, WWE has found its second home. TKO Group Holdings extended its partnership with T-Mobile Arena through 2030, making the venue the official home for both UFC and WWE events.
The deal guarantees six TKO events annually (four UFC, two WWE), priority scheduling during International Fight Week, and WWE’s biggest weekend of all: WrestleMania 42 (2026) at Allegiant Stadium, supported by SmackDown, Raw, and NXT at T-Mobile Arena.
As UFC President Dana White put it:
“Five of our top 10 biggest gates have happened in that arena, and I look forward to breaking more records together.”
For WWE, this means Las Vegas will remain the epicenter of its West Coast expansion, with WrestleMania 41 already setting the company’s all-time attendance and revenue records earlier this year.
Road to Royal Rumble: WWE’s European Takeover
The build to the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh begins with an unprecedented European tour across the U.K., Germany, Denmark, Poland, and Northern Ireland.
Cities include Berlin, Glasgow, Copenhagen, London, Newcastle, Belfast, and more. Historic firsts await:
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WWE’s first-ever TV broadcasts from Belfast and Dusseldorf
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WWE’s first return to Poland in 11 years
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Stars confirmed: Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley, Jade Cargill, Jacob Fatu, LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, Bianca Belair, and GUNTHER
The tour shows WWE’s commitment to international markets — something that will only grow as WrestleMania moves to Riyadh.
Salt Lake City Secures WWE & UFC
Finally, WWE and UFC are bringing their spectacle to Utah’s Delta Center through 2026.
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Oct. 31, 2025 – SmackDown
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Nov. 1, 2025 – Saturday Night’s Main Event (Peacock exclusive)
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UFC returns with a numbered event in 2026
The deal highlights how cities outside the traditional entertainment hubs are now vying for — and winning — major WWE events.
The Big Picture
When you step back, the picture is clear: WWE is no longer just an American juggernaut. It’s a global entertainment brand.
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WrestleMania will now rotate across continents.
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John Cena’s farewell connects nostalgia with new horizons.
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NXT is back in smaller venues, giving fans up-close experiences.
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Partnerships with universities, PSG, and global venues expand WWE’s cultural reach.
With Netflix, ESPN, and global distribution behind it, WWE is on the verge of its most ambitious era yet.
If WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh delivers on its promise, it won’t just be the end of an American tradition — it will be the dawn of a new global standard for sports entertainment.
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