A Historic Announcement
In a move that solidifies its global expansion strategy, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has officially announced that WrestleMania 43 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027. The confirmation came during a special press conference on September 12, 2025, ending months of speculation and marking a significant milestone for the company’s premier event.
This will be the first time in its more than 40-year history that WrestleMania, often dubbed the “Super Bowl of sports entertainment,” will be hosted outside of North America. While Canada has hosted the event twice, this is the first time it will venture across the Atlantic. The announcement was made by WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who was joined by a roster of legends and current superstars, including The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Seth Rollins, and Logan Paul.
“History will undoubtedly be made again… We could not be more excited for this opportunity,” Levesque stated during the press conference. “This is an opportunity for WWE to show the world what I think most people already know, that WWE is a global brand that reaches every corner of the world and excites fans from everywhere.”
Deepening a Lucrative Partnership
The decision to host WrestleMania in Riyadh is a major development in the 10-year strategic partnership WWE signed with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport in 2018. Since then, the country has hosted several Premium Live Events (PLEs), such as Crown Jewel and Night of Champions, in both Riyadh and Jeddah. The partnership will see another major event, the Royal Rumble, take place in Riyadh in January 2026, further cementing the relationship.
This move also dashed the hopes of many European fans who anticipated that a city like London or Paris would be the first to host an international WrestleMania. WWE superstar John Cena had famously advocated for a London-based event during an appearance at Money in the Bank in 2023, creating significant buzz among the UK fanbase.
Controversy and Fan Reaction
While WWE executives have expressed excitement, the announcement has been met with a divisive response from the global fanbase. The long-standing partnership between WWE and Saudi Arabia has faced criticism due to the country’s human rights record, particularly concerning women and the LGBTQ community. The term “sportswashing”—using high-profile sporting events to distract from these issues—has been frequently associated with the deal.
The controversy was especially prominent in 2018, following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which led to calls for WWE to sever its ties. Despite the backlash, the partnership has continued, and WWE has highlighted milestones such as holding the first-ever women’s wrestling match in the country as a sign of progress.
Big Money and Legendary Returns?
With nearly two years to plan, speculation is already rampant about the scale of WrestleMania 43. To make the event as monumental as possible, Saudi officials are reportedly aiming to secure some of the biggest names in wrestling history for in-ring returns. According to reports from digitaltrendstoday.com, negotiations are advancing to have Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson headline the show.
Sources suggest that the financial offer for Johnson could be record-breaking, potentially multiple times larger than any payday a professional wrestler has ever received for a single event. Other legendary names being floated for potential appearances include “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and The Undertaker. This push for iconic stars underscores the ambition to make WrestleMania 43 an unforgettable spectacle, leveraging Saudi Arabia’s significant financial resources to create a historic card.
