Tony Khan, President and CEO of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), has announced his intention to expand AEW’s reach on a global scale in 2026, emphasizing new international markets never before visited by the promotion. The statement was made in a conversation with Adrian Hernandez of Unlikely, where Khan highlighted the significance of AEW’s worldwide presence as the company continues to build momentum in the professional wrestling industry. This vision for AEW, driven by Tony Khan’s strategy for global expansion, represents a major shift for the wrestling promotion as it seeks to connect with fans across new countries and partnerships.
Khan Outlines AEW’s Growing Global Presence
During the interview, Tony Khan shared his appreciation for AEW’s international success so far. He cited the company’s partnerships and broadcast reach across more than 150 countries, thanks to significant collaborations with broadcasters such as Warner Bros. Discovery, TNT, TBS, and HBO Max. Khan expressed his enthusiasm for leveraging these relationships to further develop AEW’s global influence.
“Yes, absolutely. I want to continue to tap into those markets that have been so great globally for AEW. You know, all Elite Wrestling is on in 150 countries, over 150 countries now. And we’ve got great partners. It all starts here with Warner Bros. Discovery. We’re very grateful, for these relationships, TNT, TBS, HBO Max. It’s huge. And around the world, AW is available on all these different platforms, and we want to go and tap into that. So you’ve seen AEW expanding as you said, it’s a great point, going into these new markets, and we’re going to continue that in 2026.”
— Tony Khan, AEW President & CEO
Khan’s comments underline AEW’s strategy to not only expand, but to focus on untapped regions around the world. The company’s increasing presence in international markets demonstrates its commitment to making professional wrestling a truly global entertainment option, as Khan emphasized the structure and strength of current broadcasting arrangements as a foundation for future expansion efforts.
Strategic Planning for AEW’s Future Growth
With an eye toward the future, Tony Khan discussed the planning process and the need to maintain secrecy in AEW’s internal strategies, following a previous incident where notes from his Full Gear 2021 notebook became public. As the company prepares for significant expansion, Khan described how creative ideas for both wrestling and broadcasting are carefully considered and protected.
“Yeah, I got to be careful with what I write down because, you know, I multitask and I’m at NFL games and AEW and one time I think I was sketching things out in the morning and my notebook for Full Gear 2021, people saw I turned I didn’t want them to see my football notes, so thinking, okay, well, they aren’t going to see my football notes, so I flipped it over the other side and it was my ideas for Full Gear. And that’s still a pretty good photo. Uh and I was like, well, as long as they don’t see my football notes, I probably, and honestly, the Full Gear card was pretty cool. And that was about 90% of where we got with it. So it was pretty great. But uh uh yeah, I I don’t exactly I I write down a lot of ideas, but I also keep a lot of ideas in my head. As you said, global expansion is a huge part of it. Continuing to ride the momentum and showing people that AW is where the best wrestle. That’s my vision and my dream for 2026.”
— Tony Khan, AEW President & CEO
This approach to planning, which involves both written notes and mental strategies, allows Khan to remain flexible while keeping AEW’s competitive edge. His comments also highlight the dual roles he juggles, both in wrestling and in football through his NFL connections, cementing his reputation as an innovative leader committed to excellent execution of AEW’s mission.
Celebrating AEW’s Stars and Creative Innovations
Beyond expansion plans, Khan took the opportunity to praise AEW talent. He highlighted Darby Allin for his accomplishments, including his unique achievements outside wrestling, such as climbing Mount Everest—a feat that further elevates Allin’s stature in the company and the sport.
“Well, I thought that was fantastic. Darby is a brilliant guy. Talk about people that have been here from the beginning. Darby Allin is such a great wrestler. He’s accomplished so much. Talk about things that could change a perception of wrestling, to know that Darby Allen was the first wrestler ever to climb Mount Everest, one of few people ever to climb Mount Everest. And I never had one concern. I knowing him, I knew he would pull it off and do a great job with it because that’s the kind of athlete and human being that Darby Allin is.”
— Tony Khan, AEW President & CEO
The recognition of Darby Allin’s achievements not only demonstrates AEW’s appreciation for its roster, but also spotlights the promotion’s unique personalities—each helping to build AEW’s identity on a global stage. This approach ties into Khan’s vision for presenting AEW as a platform where world-class talent can excel and captivate audiences worldwide.
AEW Grand Slam Mexico and Multilingual Outreach
Discussing AEW Grand Slam Mexico, Khan revealed how Hangman Page contributed to the company’s international appeal by proposing to deliver a promo in Spanish, further connecting with local audiences. This willingness among talent to reach fans in their native languages is another angle to Tony Khan AEW global expansion plans.
“That was Hangman’s idea. It was a great idea. I didn’t know he’s his Español was that good. [Adrian: It’s better than mine and I’m Hispanic.] Well, my Español is muy malo compared to Hangman Page.”
— Tony Khan, AEW President & CEO
The interaction, including a comment from interviewer Adrian Hernandez, underlines how AEW’s global expansion efforts not only cover new territories, but also foster deeper cultural engagement with fans through language and personal connections.
What the Global Expansion Means for AEW’s Future
With AEW poised for further significant international growth in 2026, Tony Khan’s forward-looking approach could transform the wrestling landscape. By reaching new audiences in previously untapped markets and strengthening its multilingual, multicultural engagement, AEW aims to redefine how professional wrestling is consumed around the world. These bold plans set the stage for AEW, its roster, and its partners—including Warner Bros. Discovery, TNT, TBS, and HBO Max—to continue making an impact and setting new standards in global sports entertainment.
