WWE has officially confirmed that John Cena’s highly anticipated retirement match will take place on December 13, 2025, during a special edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event. The event is slated to occur at Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena, marking a change from earlier expectations that Cena’s final bout would be held in his hometown area of Boston, Massachusetts. However, WWE has also announced a hometown farewell show in Boston, providing fans from Cena’s home state a chance to celebrate his legendary career closer to where it all began.
The December 13 retirement match is a landmark moment capping Cena’s storied two-decade WWE career as a 17-time world champion and one of the company’s most iconic figures. The decision to host the final match in Washington, D.C., comes as a surprise to many who anticipated a hometown sendoff in Boston but offers a grand stage in the nation’s capital for the WWE Universe to salute Cena’s in-ring legacy. According to sources close to WWE, the hometown event in Boston will serve as a special farewell celebration tailored for local fans and will likely include appearances by Cena and other WWE superstars to commemorate his lasting impact on the sport.
NBC Sports confirmed the December 13 date and venue shift, highlighting that the retirement match will be streamed exclusively on Peacock as part of WWE’s updated broadcasting deal. This exclusive access aligns with WWE’s strategy to deliver premium live events with fewer commercial interruptions, enhancing the viewing experience for Cena’s farewell bout and other Saturday Night’s Main Event specials. Rick Cordella, President of NBC Sports, praised the ongoing partnership, calling Cena’s retirement match “some of the most premium content WWE produces” and expressing excitement about bringing the match live and exclusively to Peacock subscribers.
John Cena’s final year as an active competitor has been a memorable journey, featuring a mix of emotional moments and surprise twists that have captivated wrestling fans worldwide. His farewell tour has included:
- A shocking heel turn at the Elimination Chamber event.
- Capturing a record-tying 17th world title at WrestleMania 41.
- A high-profile clash with Logan Paul scheduled for August 31 at Clash in Paris.
- A marquee matchup set for September 20 at the inaugural WrestlePalooza event against the returning Brock Lesnar.
The announcement also clarifies that WWE will not move the retirement bout to December 27, avoiding competition with rival promotion AEW’s Worlds End pay-per-view, demonstrating WWE’s thoughtful scheduling to maximize fan engagement and media coverage.
WWE insiders reveal that while the Washington, D.C. venue will host Cena’s final official match, the Boston farewell event marks a special milestone occasion for the hometown crowd. It is expected to be a star-studded night celebrating Cena’s roots with opportunities for fan interactions, autograph signings, and exclusive in-ring segments. Fans from Massachusetts can look forward to a memorable evening honoring Cena’s contributions to WWE and professional wrestling at large.
As part of the recent broadcasting changes, WWE’s premium live events will now transition to ESPN platforms starting September, three months earlier than initially planned. This move parallels the multi-year streaming deal with Peacock, which will see four exclusive Saturday Night’s Main Event broadcasts yearly, including the December retirement match. WWE Network’s library will also remain on Peacock through the remainder of 2025, ensuring extensive access to Cena’s historic matches and career highlights.
With Cena’s last match officially on the calendar and a hometown celebration arranged, the final chapter of one of wrestling’s greatest careers is set to be an unforgettable experience for fans, talent, and WWE leadership alike.
According to sources close to WWE and confirmed by Fightful and Wrestling Headlines, John Cena’s impact on the industry transcends his time in the ring, and the upcoming events in Washington, D.C., and Boston represent the culmination of decades of dedication to the sport and entertainment. Cena himself has expressed gratitude for his fans and has promised that his final matches will showcase the passion and heart that defined his tenure in WWE.
WWE fans and sports enthusiasts are encouraged to tune in live on Peacock to witness this historic moment on December 13, 2025, and to participate in the Boston hometown festivities, marking the end of an era and the celebration of a true WWE legend.