WWE Confirms WrestleMania 43 Will Be Held in Saudi Arabia in 2027 — A Historic First Outside North America
When it comes to the world of sports entertainment, few events carry the same electricity as WrestleMania. For decades, this annual spectacle has been the crown jewel of WWE, a global showcase that merges athleticism, storytelling, and pure spectacle into a single unforgettable weekend. Since its debut in 1985 at Madison Square Garden, WrestleMania has remained firmly rooted in North America, traveling between iconic venues from New York to Los Angeles to Dallas. But in 2027, everything changes. WWE officially announced that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the very first time the biggest show of them all will leave American soil.
The announcement sent shockwaves through the wrestling world. Fans who had grown accustomed to making WrestleMania a pilgrimage across U.S. and Canadian cities now realized the grand stage was going truly global. While WWE has been hosting premium live events in Saudi Arabia for several years through its Crown Jewel and Greatest Royal Rumble shows, WrestleMania is an entirely different story. This isn’t just another stop on the calendar—it’s the pinnacle, the Super Bowl of professional wrestling, and moving it overseas speaks volumes about how WWE views its future.
Over the last decade, WWE’s partnership with Saudi Arabia has grown stronger, bringing in massive shows that have drawn international stars and historic matches. Yet for many fans, WrestleMania always seemed untouchable, too sacred to be moved outside the U.S. But Vince McMahon’s legacy, now carried forward by Triple H and the new leadership structure following the TKO merger with UFC’s parent company Endeavor, has always been about evolution. And in this case, it’s about cementing WrestleMania as a truly global attraction.
Consider the numbers. Recent WrestleManias have shattered records, with the two-night format pulling well over 100,000 fans in combined attendance. WrestleMania 40, held in Philadelphia, not only packed Lincoln Financial Field but also became Peacock’s most-streamed entertainment event ever, racking up around 1.2 billion live minutes viewed. Those kinds of numbers prove that the audience isn’t limited to those inside the stadium—it’s the millions watching around the world who give WrestleMania its legendary aura. Now, by staging it in Riyadh, WWE is signaling that the spectacle belongs to the entire world, not just North America.
The city of Riyadh has already been preparing for this moment. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has poured billions into sports and entertainment infrastructure, transforming its capital into a hub for mega-events. Purpose-built stadiums and a growing focus on tourism make it the perfect venue for an event of this scale. While WrestleMania has traditionally been hosted in NFL stadiums, the chance to design a tailor-made setting could take the production to a level fans have never seen before. Fireworks, elaborate stage designs, and the kind of over-the-top entrances that define WrestleMania will now play out on a global canvas unlike any before.
For fans, the move raises a mix of excitement and questions. Many international fans are thrilled—this is validation that WWE truly sees them as part of the WrestleMania family. Traveling from Europe, Asia, or Africa to Riyadh may be far easier than making the long journey to the United States. For fans in North America, however, the idea of missing their annual tradition stings. WrestleMania has long been more than a wrestling show—it’s a week-long festival, with Hall of Fame ceremonies, NXT standouts, and Raw and SmackDown episodes packed with international visitors. It remains to be seen how many U.S. fans will make the trip overseas, but history suggests thousands will still fly out, determined not to miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Speculation has already begun about what matches could headline this global WrestleMania. Posters featuring Roman Reigns and The Rock have circulated widely, sparking rumors of a long-awaited clash between the two Samoan megastars. While nothing is confirmed, the very idea of WrestleMania 43 hosting dream matches on a stage this big feels almost inevitable. After all, WWE has always understood the importance of creating moments that live forever—Hulk Hogan slamming Andre the Giant, The Undertaker’s streak, Daniel Bryan’s “Yes Movement.” The 2027 edition will need to live up to that history while also writing a new chapter that reflects its international setting.
For WWE’s business, the move is monumental. WrestleMania has always been a money-making machine, driving ticket sales, merchandise, sponsorships, and massive streaming numbers. Taking it global opens new doors for sponsorship deals, tourism partnerships, and broadcast rights. It also reinforces WWE’s place as a leader in global entertainment, not just a wrestling company. Just as UFC holds blockbuster fights in Abu Dhabi or Formula 1 races electrify fans in new cities, WWE is planting its flag firmly on the world stage.
But beyond the numbers and headlines, there’s something symbolic here. WrestleMania has always been about dreams—dream matches, dream moments, dream opportunities. For kids in the Middle East who grew up watching John Cena, The Undertaker, or Roman Reigns on TV, the chance to see WrestleMania live in their own region is nothing short of magical. It tells them that the world of WWE isn’t confined to one continent. It belongs to everyone.
Of course, not everyone will embrace the decision. Critics will argue that taking WrestleMania out of North America risks alienating the core fanbase. Others may raise concerns about the cultural and political implications of hosting such a massive event in Saudi Arabia. But for WWE, the bet is clear: the future lies in global expansion, and the best way to prove it is by sending their biggest show across the ocean.
As the countdown to 2027 begins, fans are already buzzing with anticipation. Travel packages, dream match speculation, and discussions about how WWE will adapt its traditions are dominating conversations online. Will we see a two-night format again? Will legends return for this historic show? What kind of set design will Riyadh unveil? These are the questions wrestling fans love to ask, and the answers will slowly unfold in the years ahead.
One thing is certain: WrestleMania 43 will not be just another event. It will be a statement to the world that WWE is no longer bound by borders. The phrase “the grandest stage of them all” has always defined WrestleMania. In 2027, that stage will expand like never before. Riyadh will become the center of the wrestling universe, and fans everywhere will witness history.
For those who have followed WWE since its early days, this move is both surreal and inspiring. WrestleMania has gone from a gamble in Madison Square Garden to a global phenomenon capable of filling stadiums across the world. The journey has been long, but the message remains the same: when it comes to making history, WWE never shies away. WrestleMania 43 will be proof of that—an event that proves once and for all that the world is ready for the biggest show in sports entertainment to truly belong to everyone.