WWE has confirmed that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2027 — the first time its flagship event will be held outside of the United States or Canada.

The historic reveal was made on Friday by WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, during a high-profile press event attended by WWE superstars including Seth Rollins, Logan Paul, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Charlotte Flair, Stephanie Vaquer, and legends Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker.

“In 2027, we are proud to announce that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Saudi Arabia as part of Riyadh Season,” Levesque said. “History will undoubtedly be made again.”

The decision comes after years of deepening ties between WWE and Saudi Arabia, particularly through the Riyadh Season, which has grown into a global cultural and entertainment festival since its launch in 2019. The Kingdom has previously hosted major WWE events such as Crown Jewel, Night of Champions, Elimination Chamber, and King & Queen of the Ring, among others.

WWE’s partnership with the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) began formally in 2018 but traces back to non-televised house shows in 2014. Since then, the relationship has evolved — including the milestone of Saudi Arabia hosting its first women’s match in 2019 — and culminated with WWE now preparing to bring its biggest annual event to the Middle East.

The announcement also comes just ahead of another first: the Royal Rumble 2026, which will be held in Riyadh — the first time that Royal Rumble will take place outside North America.

WWE, now operating under TKO Group Holdings, has had a banner year in 2025.

Highlights include:

  • The heel turn of John Cena that shocked fans worldwide.
  • The return of Brock Lesnar, despite off-screen controversies.
  • The long-awaited comeback of AJ Lee, after nearly a decade away from the ring.
  • Even CM Punk, once a vocal critic of WWE’s Saudi shows, appeared in a headline match against Cena during Night of Champions 2025.

WrestleMania has long been more than just a wrestling show. It's a week-long spectacle that includes fan events, Friday Night SmackDown, Monday Night Raw, NXT specials, and community outreach activities. Over the past decade, the event has reportedly generated more than $1.5 billion in economic impact for its host cities.

The upcoming WrestleMania 42, set for Las Vegas in 2026, will follow on the heels of the record-breaking WrestleMania 41, which was hailed as the most successful and highest-grossing event in WWE history.

Despite the positive reception in many quarters, WWE’s collaboration with Saudi Arabia has also drawn criticism, especially over concerns of sportswashing — the use of major sporting events to improve a country's global image amid human rights controversies.