The world of professional wrestling is set to witness a historic moment as WWE takes its iconic Royal Rumble event outside North America for the first time ever. In January 2026, the 39th annual Royal Rumble will emanate from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion and its ongoing partnership with the Middle Eastern nation. This groundbreaking decision builds upon WWE’s previous international ventures, including the inaugural Royal Rumble held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1988. While this isn’t the first time the event has been held outside the United States, the move to Saudi Arabia signifies a new chapter in the Rumble’s history and underscores the growing importance of international markets for the wrestling entertainment giant.
The announcement of the 2026 Royal Rumble location comes amidst WWE’s existing ten-year partnership with the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Sport, a deal inked in 2018. While the official future of the partnership beyond the initial ten-year term remains unconfirmed, recent comments by WWE Chief Content Officer and head of creative, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, suggest a strong likelihood of extension. This long-term collaboration has allowed WWE to bring its signature brand of sports entertainment to a new and expanding audience, while simultaneously providing Saudi Arabia with a platform to host globally recognized events. The move to Riyadh underscores the strategic importance of this partnership for both WWE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The decision to host the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, however, is not without its complexities. The partnership between WWE and the kingdom has faced considerable scrutiny and controversy since its inception. One of the primary points of contention has been Saudi Arabia’s historical stance on women’s participation in sports and entertainment. Initially, female WWE Superstars were prohibited from performing in Saudi Arabia, a restriction that was finally lifted in 2019 with the historic match between Natalya and Lacey Evans at Crown Jewel. This landmark moment, however, was met with mixed reactions, with some applauding it as a step towards progress while others criticized it as a superficial attempt to improve the kingdom’s image.
Further fueling the controversy surrounding the partnership are the ongoing concerns regarding human rights issues within Saudi Arabia. The 2018 murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, a vocal critic of the Saudi government, cast a harsh spotlight on the kingdom’s human rights record and intensified international scrutiny of its partnerships with global organizations like WWE. The decision to continue holding events in Saudi Arabia despite these concerns has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and some segments of the WWE fanbase. The organization faces the challenge of balancing its business interests with ethical considerations and navigating the complexities of operating in a country with a controversial human rights record.
The upcoming 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh promises to be a historic event, marking a significant expansion of WWE’s global footprint and a further strengthening of its ties with Saudi Arabia. The event will undoubtedly generate considerable interest and excitement among wrestling fans worldwide, while also continuing the conversation surrounding the complexities and controversies inherent in the partnership between WWE and the kingdom. The choice of Riyadh as the host city represents both a significant opportunity and a significant challenge for WWE, requiring a delicate balancing act between commercial interests and ethical considerations.
As the wrestling world looks ahead to the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, the event will be closely watched not only for its in-ring action and the crowning of a new contender for a world championship, but also for its broader implications for WWE’s global strategy and its ongoing partnership with Saudi Arabia. The event will undoubtedly serve as a major talking point within the wrestling community and beyond, sparking discussions about the future of sports entertainment, the role of international partnerships, and the ethical considerations that come with operating in a complex global landscape.
