WWE revealed today that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2027, marking a historic shift for the event’s location. This announcement was made live at the Fountainebleau resort, underscoring WWE’s expanding international presence and its growing relationship with the Saudi sports market.
Announcement Made During Live YouTube Event Featuring WWE Stars
Joe Tessitore unveiled the news from a podium at the Fountainebleau resort with several WWE talents on stage, including Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Liv Morgan, Stephanie Vaquer, Logan Paul, and Seth Rollins. Tessitore highlighted upcoming WWE events such as WrestleMania’s return to Las Vegas next April before Paul Levesque took the stage to introduce the new partnership with Saudi Arabia.
Levesque welcomed Turki Al-Sheikh, a key figure in Saudi sports and entertainment, praising him for
changing the face of sports entertainment
—Paul Levesque, WWE Executive. The announcement met with a barrage of negative comments from fans on the live stream, including chants of
Blood Money, You Sold Out, Blood Money
and other critical reactions reflecting disapproval of the move.
WrestleMania Hosting Outside North America for the First Time
Levesque explained that WrestleMania 43 will be the first-ever event held outside the United States and Canada, coinciding with Riyadh Season, a major cultural festival in Saudi Arabia. He expressed confidence, stating
History will be made again; we’ve been making history a lot lately.
—Paul Levesque, WWE Executive. A Saudi prince attended the announcement, sitting beside Undertaker, illustrating the significance of this new alliance for both WWE and Saudi sports entertainment.
WWE Stars Reflect on the Growing Saudi Fanbase
Joe Tessitore noted the popularity of Turki Al-Sheikh among Saudi fans, referencing a boxing match crowd where the official received strong cheers. Tessitore said,
You are beloved in Saudi Arabia, and for good reason,
—Joe Tessitore, WWE Announcer. The Undertaker highlighted the incredible passion of Saudi fans, commenting,
I think people are going to be blown away at the same passion that the people of Saudi Arabia have,
further recognizing Turki Al-Sheikh’s role as
such a instrumental force in the growth of WWE in Saudi Arabia.
—Undertaker, WWE Legend. Undertaker added that fans will be surprised by the depth of appreciation for WWE in the region.
Bianca Belair emphasized Saudi Arabia as a growing hub for women’s wrestling, describing it as
specifically for women to make amazing moments not just important for little girls to see, but little boys to see.
—Bianca Belair, WWE Superstar. She shared how the audience’s enthusiasm continues to evolve, recalling the excitement during their previous all-women battle royal where fans chanted in support of all participants.
Levesque Highlights the Significance of the Saudi Partnership
Paul Levesque reflected on the importance of the Saudi alliance, describing it as
difficult to put into words how significant it has been
and recognizing the evolution of WWE’s presence there. He credited not only top WWE executive Nick Khan and Turki Al-Sheikh, but also the passionate Saudi fanbase, acknowledging they have done their homework and learned the chants.
Levesque predicted that combining WWE’s traditional spectacles with Saudi Arabia’s enthusiasm will create
a level of spectacle that no one has ever seen before.
—Paul Levesque, WWE Executive. Tessitore agreed that the timing aligns perfectly with increasing fan excitement, stating it is
the right move at the right time.
—Joe Tessitore, WWE Announcer.
Turki Al-Sheikh Expresses Gratitude and Shares Insights
Tessitore invited Turki Al-Sheikh to share his thoughts, to which Al-Sheikh expressed deep appreciation for the Crown Prince’s support, emphasizing,
Without him, we cannot do anything.
—Turki Al-Sheikh, Saudi Sports Official. He also described how anticipation rose dramatically after a brief social media leak of the announcement, which was initially met with disbelief but is now confirmed as fact, stating confidently,
but now it is the truth.
—Turki Al-Sheikh, Saudi Sports Official.
Upcoming WWE Events in Saudi Arabia Foreshadow Expansion
In addition to WrestleMania 43’s Saudi location, Tessitore confirmed that the Royal Rumble will also be held in Saudi Arabia within the next few months. This decision indicates WWE’s strategy to strengthen its footprint in the Middle East and leverage the energy of Saudi’s growing and passionate wrestling fans, signaling a pivotal time in the company’s global expansion.
