The 2026 Royal Rumble, marking the 39th edition of WWE‘s flagship Premium Live Event, took place for the first time outside North America on Saturday night at the Riyadh Season Stadium in Saudi Arabia. Despite the venue being purpose-built to host 25,000 fans, viewers watching the event on Netflix widely noted that the arena seemed half empty during the broadcast, raising questions about the event’s atmosphere and setup. The striking emptiness on television contrasted sharply with reports from attendees who insisted the stadium was well-filled, prompting WWE insiders to address the issue.
Explanation Behind the Illusion of Empty Seats During the Broadcast
PW Insider revealed WWE’s internal reaction to the visual perception of the largely vacant stadium on television, which was traced to a technical complication involving the venue’s LED lighting configuration. The LED setup aimed to add a dynamic visual effect, especially highlighting the superstar entrances that are integral to the Royal Rumble experience. However, on camera, this choice backfired, making the stands look sparsely populated despite reportedly selling out all 25,000 tickets.
According to WWE sources, the lighting effect dramatically altered the way the crowd appeared on screen, leading to widespread criticism and a sense that the event’s production quality did not meet expectations. Officials expressed disappointment with how the LED lights translated on the broadcast, indicating this approach will likely be abandoned for future events in Saudi Arabia.
For those who have asked about the look of emptiness of The Royal Rumble event last night, we are told that the setup for the LED lights actually made the venue look as if it wasn’t as full as it actually was.
– WWE official
WWE sources indicated they had 25,000 tickets moved for the event but the LED lighting from the seats on the broadcast did not come across as well as it did live. One person noted that they did not expect to try that production element again when they return to Saudi Arabia.
– WWE insider
Unexpected Graphic Glitch Fuels Speculation of an Extra Entrant
Beyond the lighting complications, another notable production mistake occurred during the men’s Royal Rumble match, leading fans to anticipate an unprecedented 31st entrant. After much anticipation that wrestling legend Chris Jericho might return at number 30, fans were initially disappointed when Gunther made the entrance instead. Yet, a graphic glitch amplified hopes by displaying a #31 entrant on the live arena screens, momentarily disrupting expectations.
WWE sources confirmed this was an unintended error caused by the graphics system used during the live broadcast. The premature indication of a 31st participant was not planned and stemmed solely from a technical fault behind the scenes, dashing speculation among spectators that Jericho would appear unexpectedly.
There was also a production error during the live show where, after number 30 entered the men’s Rumble, the graphic on the screens live in Riyadh automatically changed to listing a #31 entering. We are told that was just a byproduct of the program they were using for graphics.
– WWE insider
Implications for WWE’s Future Events in Saudi Arabia
The 2026 Royal Rumble’s production difficulties have generated disappointment among fans, broadcasters, and WWE officials alike, highlighting the challenges of hosting such a major live event in a newly constructed venue outside WWE’s traditional North American markets. While the attendance reportedly met expectations, the flawed lighting scheme and graphic errors undermined the broadcast’s quality and viewer perception.
These technical missteps may influence WWE’s decisions on how future events are staged and filmed when returning to the Riyadh Season Stadium or other international locations. Improvements in production design and broadcast technology are likely to become priorities to avoid repeating similar errors and to better showcase the scale and energy of WWE events worldwide.
