Since 2018, WWE has had a working relationship with the government of Saudi Arabia. Hosting major premium live events (PLEs) under a long-term deal with the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA). The money WWE gets from Saudi Arabia has been massive.
But all of that hasn’t stopped WWE from making plans on expanding their relationship with the Saudis in the years ahead.
The company is reportedly getting about $100 million per year for two PLEs in the Middle East region. But this partnership hasn’t been without controversy. WWE also has had to move mega-events out of established Western markets. Prompting critics to question how deep the company’s financial ties are to Saudi Arabia.
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WWE Expands Its Saudi Arabia Plans
According to TKO Group Holdings Chief Financial Officer Andrew Schleimer, the company is planning to increase the number of PLEs in Saudi Arabia. WWE will only have one event in Saudi in 2025 . A decrease that will cost the company an estimated $55 million. But that’s just temporary. By 2026, WWE will bump things up to having three PLEs in the Kingdom.
One of those events, to the disappointment of Western fans, will be the 2026 Royal Rumble. It will be the first time in history that the Royal Rumble will not be held in North America. It is part of a much wider plan by Saudi Arabia to be a global sports and entertainment hub, and use big partnerships to grow its international profile.
With the company deepening its ties to the KSA, this will surely get a reaction from the wrestling world. Some will celebrate the expansion into new markets, others will see it as WWE putting money over tradition. One thing is for sure: WWE’s future is getting more and more tied to Saudi Arabia, and the 2026 Royal Rumble will be a historic moment that shows just how far this partnership has come.
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