WWE has partnered with Saudi Arabia since 2018, earning substantial revenues from premium live events, despite facing backlash over moving major events from Western markets. The company plans to reduce events to one in 2025 but will expand to three by 2026, including the landmark Royal Rumble, the first held outside North America, amid Saudi Arabia’s aim to bolster its global sports profile.
Since 2018, WWE has established a substantial partnership with the Saudi Arabian government, orchestrating major premium live events (PLEs) under a long-term agreement with the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA). Financially, this agreement has been lucrative for WWE, with annual revenues approximating $100 million for two PLEs in the region. However, this relationship has stirred controversy, particularly given the company’s decision to relocate significant events away from traditional Western markets, raising questions about its financial dependency on Saudi Arabia.
Recent statements from TKO Group Holdings Chief Financial Officer Andrew Schleimer indicate WWE’s intent to further its involvement in the Saudi market. While the company plans a temporary reduction to one event in Saudi Arabia in 2025—resulting in an estimated revenue loss of $55 million—this is expected to be a short-lived setback. By 2026, WWE aims to increase the number of events in the kingdom to three.
Significantly, one of these future events includes the 2026 Royal Rumble, marking a historic first where the event will not take place in North America. This decision aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader ambitions to establish itself as a global hub for sports and entertainment, utilizing partnerships like WWE to enhance its international prominence. This deepening of ties will likely elicit mixed reactions within the wrestling community, with fans divided between excitement for new markets and disappointment over the loss of tradition.
As WWE’s integration with Saudi Arabia grows, the company’s future appears increasingly linked to its financial arrangements with the kingdom. The decision to host the 2026 Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia signifies a pivotal moment in this partnership, showcasing the evolution of WWE’s operations and its strategic choices moving forward.
WWE’s growing relationship with Saudi Arabia underscores its significant financial gains from the region while provoking controversy over the implications for the wrestling tradition. Plans for increased events in Saudi Arabia, including the historic relocation of the Royal Rumble, illustrate the company’s shift towards international markets, raising critical discussions within the wrestling community about the balance between profit and legacy.
Original Source: ringsideintel.com
