Speculation about WrestleMania moving to Saudi Arabia rumors has intensified after a sudden change in venue for the major event, raising questions about what the future of WWE’s flagship show could look like and where it may go next. This latest turn has drawn attention from insiders and fans, pointing toward the powerful financial influence of Saudi Arabia as a potential factor in future plans.
WrestleMania’s Sudden Change in Direction
The original plan for WrestleMania 42, as announced by The Rock in February, was to host the show in New Orleans in April 2026. However, only a few short months later, WWE decided to alter that course. Rather than moving forward with New Orleans, the company reportedly shifted the mega event to Las Vegas for a second consecutive year, despite earlier rumors that Mexico, London, or Saudi Arabia were under consideration.
This quick reversal has led many to believe that WWE, now operating under the leadership of Ari Emanuel and his partners, is open to making even more unexpected decisions about WrestleMania’s future. There’s a rising sentiment that the event’s long-standing tradition of being held in North America could soon come to an end, with the Middle East emerging as a top candidate due to financial incentives.
WWE Hall of Famer Weighs In On Saudi Speculation
These rumors were fueled even further when Jeff Jarrett, a noted WWE Hall of Famer, gave his candid thoughts on the matter during a recent episode of his My World podcast. When asked whether WrestleMania might move to Saudi Arabia, Jarrett responded:
“Absolutely, unequivocally, beyond a shadow of a doubt, hell yes.There’s no emotional attachment with Ari Emanuel and his crew to WrestleMania. I guarantee you those higher-ups could not tell you any locations of the first thirty Manias…Moving to Saudi, it becomes a no-brainer because they’re going to look at the 0s that New Orleans was going to write them as a site fee. It’s no comparison. It’s literally…it is absolutely no comparison. So that’s why I just think, if not this one, it’s coming.”
—Jeff Jarrett, WWE Hall of Famer
His comments highlight an increasing sense of unease and dissatisfaction among those watching WWE’s evolving business decisions. Jarrett’s view suggests the priorities of ownership, particularly Ari Emanuel and the current executive group, are focused less on tradition and more on the size of a venue’s financial offer.
Financial Motives and the Future of WrestleMania
The financial stakes for WrestleMania have never been higher, with site fees from potential host cities becoming a primary consideration for WWE’s leadership. Jarrett implied that places like New Orleans can’t match the enormous financial packages Saudi Arabia has been able to offer for past WWE events. For WWE, the prospect of taking WrestleMania abroad for the first time is becoming less a matter of if, and more a question of when.
WWE is set to visit Saudi Arabia again in June 2025 for the Night of Champions, and it has been revealed that the Royal Rumble in 2026 will also take place in the country. These moves provide further evidence that Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming a central location for WWE’s most important live shows, increasing the likelihood that WrestleMania itself could follow in the coming years.
Broader Industry Implications and What Lies Ahead
This developing scenario has prompted speculation and even frustration among fans who value WrestleMania’s North American heritage. As WWE continues to negotiate with host cities and weigh lucrative international options, high-profile names such as The Rock, Ari Emanuel, Jeff Jarrett, and Vince McMahon remain at the center of these unfolding discussions. The business-oriented approach of WWE’s current ownership, prioritizing profit over sentiment, has shifted the landscape significantly.
With confirmed events like Night of Champions and Royal Rumble heading to Saudi Arabia, it appears increasingly likely that WrestleMania could make the leap outside North America. For now, the spotlight will remain fixed on WWE’s future decisions, as the company balances global ambitions with the expectations of its long-standing fan base and the demands from cities eager to host pro wrestling’s biggest stage.
