Saudi Arabia Wants WWE WrestleMania Or Royal Rumble As Part Of 'Enhancement' To Current Deal
WWE-Saudi Arabia partnership to be enhanced
May 8, 2024
Could one of WWE's biggest shows be held in Saudi Arabia?
Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority Turki Alalshikh has announced that an enhancement to WWE's existing deal with the Middle Eastern nation will be revealed later this month. Alalshikh told ESPN that Saudi Arabia is looking to bring the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania to the country as part of the "enhancement." Neither the Royal Rumble nor WrestleMania have ever taken place outside of the United States or Canada.
Alalshikh's comments were made as part of the announcement of a "strategic agreement" between Riyadh Season and the UFC. The MMA organisation and WWE are closely linked following the merger between the two companies in 2023 into TKO Group Holdings.
WWE have held pay-per-views in Saudi Arabia since 2018 when a 10-year deal was inked with the Saudi General Sports Authority. The arrangement was later expanded to include two pay-per-views per year.
WWE will return to Saudi Arabia later this month for King & Queen of the Ring on Saturday, May 25 in Jeddah. This will be WWE's first visit to the Middle East since Crown Jewel in November 2023.