WWE reportedly not planning to extend Saudi Arabia partnership beyond WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh
WWE and parent company TKO Group Holdings are reportedly not planning to extend their Saudi Arabia partnership beyond WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh in 2027, according to a report published on October 20, 2026. The report, citing journalist Blake Avignon, said talks about renewing the Riyadh Season relationship have not been productive and that the immediate priority is settling existing site-fee commitments and securing the WrestleMania 43 deposit.
The uncertainty around WWE’s future in Saudi Arabia follows doubts about Crown Jewel 2026, which is scheduled for Riyadh on November 7, and broader concerns over security and air-travel issues linked to the region. WrestleMania 43 is planned for Riyadh in 2027 and would be the company’s first WrestleMania held outside North America, while WWE’s partnership with Saudi hosts dates back to 2018. That ongoing agreement has encompassed major shows such as Crown Jewel, Royal Rumble and Night of Champions, and the WrestleMania 43 arrangement represents the largest expansion of the relationship.
Avignon told reporters that WWE and TKO “do not seem to be having productive talks concerning the extension of their partnership through Riyadh Season” and that the first step is to collect outstanding payments. He added that TKO executives are focused on concluding current business and obtaining owed site fees and the WrestleMania deposit rather than committing to new arrangements. Avignon’s reporting included the line: “With political tensions in the region escalating, it looks like Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro are trying to finish the existing business, collect what’s owed, and avoid locking WWE into anything new for now.”
The report also quoted a tweet presenting the financial motive for Crown Jewel and the WrestleMania deposit: "#WWECrownJewel is happening because @TKOGrp and @WWE still have money to collect on prior site-fee commitments and need to secure the deposit tied to #WrestleMania43.I’m told there haven’t been meaningful talks about renewing or extending the Riyadh Season relationship beyond… https://t.co/obKcYALW09". The account of Avignon’s remarks stated that the companies are prioritising settlement of prior commitments rather than negotiating an extension at this time.
The coverage noted that TKO’s broader business ties to Saudi Arabia mean the group is not exiting the market entirely, citing Zuffa Boxing’s links to Saudi as evidence that TKO still has Saudi involvement even if WWE’s future there is being treated cautiously. The report emphasised that WWE or TKO had not issued an official statement confirming an end to the partnership once WrestleMania 43 concludes, and that financial considerations remain central to current discussions.
Wrestling-industry commentator Dave Meltzer was cited as saying WWE would earn $150 million from hosting WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia, a figure the report used to underline the monetary stakes involved. The article also highlighted logistical challenges cited by the promotion, including the transportation of talent, staff and equipment amid the potential for travel disruptions tied to sudden changes in the security situation.
The report said that, should WWE choose to relocate WrestleMania from Saudi Arabia, Europe has been considered as a possible alternative because of its arenas and event infrastructure, naming London and Paris as cities that have previously drawn wrestling crowds. It added that any European option would require city-by-city assessment of suitability and did not present Europe as a confirmed destination.
Crown Jewel remains scheduled for Riyadh on November 7, 2026, and as of October 19 the venue discussed for WrestleMania 43 is Riyadh, although no dates for WrestleMania have been announced. WWE and TKO have not confirmed whether the Saudi relationship will end with WrestleMania 43, with the report indicating current activity is focused on settling outstanding site-fee commitments and the WrestleMania deposit.