WWE executive Paul "Triple H" Levesque speaking into a microphone while wearing a suit during a WWE event in 2014.

CruxBuzz Staff

Saudi Arabia Secures WrestleMania 43 for $100M+, Triple H Calls Historic First ‘Global Brand’ Showcase

WWE

WWE announced Friday that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027, marking the first time the company’s flagship event will be held outside North America since its inception in 1985.

The historic announcement was made by WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque alongside Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, during a press event in Las Vegas.

“This is an opportunity to show the world that WWE is a global brand that reaches every corner of the world and excites fans from everywhere,” Levesque said during the announcement.

The move to Saudi Arabia comes after nearly four decades of WrestleMania being exclusively held in the United States and Canada. The event will be part of Riyadh Season, an annual entertainment festival that attracted more than 20 million visitors in 2024.

Alalshikh emphasized the significance of bringing WWE’s premier event to the Middle East: “We deeply respect the legacy of WrestleMania and the global prestige it holds among wrestling fans around the world. As part of Riyadh Season in 2027, our vision is to elevate this iconic event to unprecedented heights.”


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The financial scale of the deal is substantial, with industry reports suggesting the agreement could exceed $100 million. For perspective, according to Wrestlenomics, the total ticket revenue from all previous WrestleManias combined, adjusted for inflation, amounts to approximately $400 million.

WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia began in 2018 with the “Greatest Royal Rumble” event. Since then, the company has held multiple shows in the country as part of a long-term partnership. Before WrestleMania 43 arrives in 2027, Saudi Arabia will host the Royal Rumble on January 31, 2026 – the first of WWE’s “Big Four” premium live events to take place in the country.

WrestleMania 42 is scheduled for April 18-19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, making 2027’s Saudi Arabian edition the next logical step in WWE’s global expansion strategy.

The announcement has generated mixed reactions. While some fans have expressed disappointment about the event leaving North America, WWE legends have voiced support. Industry veterans like The Undertaker have praised Saudi fans’ passion, while former WCW President Eric Bischoff acknowledged both the business logic and the tradition break.

The women’s division will likely play a significant role at WrestleMania 43, highlighting the evolution of WWE’s presence in Saudi Arabia. The first women’s match in the country took place at Crown Jewel 2019 between Natalya and Lacey Evans. Since then, female superstars have become regular features at Saudi events.

Multi-time WWE Women’s Champion Bianca Belair, who was present at Friday’s announcement, noted the progress: “It has just been very special to see where the WWE Saudi Arabia partnership started and what it’s evolved into. As a woman, it’s very special to be a part of this.”

WrestleMania typically generates substantial economic impact for host cities. According to WWE, the event has created more than $1.5 billion in cumulative economic benefits over the past decade. Fans from over 60 countries attend the weeklong celebration, which includes multiple events beyond the main show.

The 2027 event will culminate years of strategic international expansion for WWE under its parent company, TKO Group Holdings. Following WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas earlier this year, which WWE called its most successful and highest-grossing event in history, the company continues to pursue global growth opportunities.

As WWE prepares for this historic move, questions remain about operational details such as broadcast times for North American audiences, venue selection, and travel packages for international fans planning to attend the first-ever Middle Eastern WrestleMania.

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