WWE is significantly expanding its footprint in Saudi Arabia as it prepares to bring WrestleMania 43 to Riyadh in 2027 — the first WrestleMania event ever held outside North America. This historic move coincides with the opening of a new WWE permanent office in Riyadh to oversee the promotion’s growing Saudi business operations, marking a major milestone in the company’s international strategy.
According to reports from TC WrestleVotes and Fightful Select, WWE has officially established a permanent office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This office will manage WWE’s expanding partnership with the Saudi government and its entertainment authority, helping coordinate the increasing number of high-profile events planned in the kingdom, including WrestleMania 43[1][3][4]. Sources close to WWE confirm that the office signals a long-term commitment to the region beyond just hosting periodic events.
The announcement followed the September 12, 2025 official confirmation from WWE and the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) that WrestleMania 43 will be held in Riyadh as part of the 2027 Riyadh Season entertainment festival[5]. HE Turki Alalshikh, a key figure in the GEA, highlighted the significance of hosting such an iconic event: “WrestleMania is already the biggest date on the wrestling calendar and this announcement marks a significant moment in our partnership with WWE… Our vision is to elevate this iconic event to unprecedented heights”[5].
This decision cements Saudi Arabia’s status as a major market for WWE. The company’s relationship with the kingdom began in 2018 with the “Greatest Royal Rumble” event and has since involved regular pay-per-view events, including Crown Jewel and Super ShowDown, often hosted during the Riyadh Season entertainment festival[2].
Why Only One WrestleMania in 2027 — No U.S. Counterpart
Before the WrestleMania 43 announcement, there was widespread speculation that WWE might run two WrestleManias in 2027: one in the U.S. and one in Saudi Arabia, echoing the multiple major events strategy similar to boxing or MMA’s expansion models. However, Fightful Select reported that Saudi officials insisted on hosting the sole WrestleMania that year without sharing the spotlight with a U.S. event, seeking an exclusive showcase of WWE’s premier event on their home turf[1].
This exclusivity underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing influence over WWE’s global calendar and reflects the government’s desire to cement Riyadh’s cultural and entertainment status internationally. It also indicates WWE’s strategic focus on consolidating maximum impact in a rapidly growing market rather than splitting attention between two locations.
Backstage Insight on Saudi Investment and WWE’s Expansion
According to insiders, WWE’s deal for WrestleMania 43 is among the most lucrative in the company’s history, with Saudi Arabia committing a multi-million dollar investment to make it a spectacle unlike any before it. Sources close to the negotiations revealed the Saudi government sees WWE as a key entertainment pillar to support its Vision 2030 goals of diversifying the economy and boosting tourism and cultural events[1].
The Riyadh office will serve as a hub to streamline operations for multiple WWE events, including future Crown Jewel shows and special appearances during Riyadh Season’s broader entertainment offerings. This move reflects WWE’s shift from periodic appearances to a sustained business presence within Saudi Arabia.
WWE officials are said to be excited by the strategic advantages this permanent office provides, from improving logistics and local talent development to fostering stronger partnerships with sponsors and local authorities[3][4]. According to a WWE insider familiar with the Saudi venture, “This is more than a market expansion; it’s a long-term cultural partnership. Having boots on the ground in Riyadh allows WWE to orchestrate events at a higher level, customizing fan experiences and business strategies unique to the region.”
WWE’s Saudi Journey: From Greatest Royal Rumble to WrestleMania
Since WWE’s inaugural 2018 “Greatest Royal Rumble” event in Jeddah, the partnership has grown steadily. Initially focused on bringing large-scale pay-per-views like Crown Jewel and Super ShowDown, WWE and Saudi Arabia have recently diversified with initiatives such as the WWE Experience theme park launched during Riyadh Season 2023, officially opening in early 2024[2]. The park, the first WWE-branded theme park since 2011, showcases WWE’s commitment to embedding itself culturally and commercially within the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of WrestleMania 43 will be only the third time the event is held outside the U.S., following WrestleManias in Canada and the U.K. in previous decades[1]. For WWE, it is a defining moment that signals its evolving global footprint and willingness to innovate its event model to tap into international markets with committed governmental support.
Looking Ahead: WWE’s Saudi Strategy Beyond 2027
With WrestleMania 43 as a catalyst, WWE is expected to continue expanding its Saudi presence and leveraging its Riyadh office to bring more frequent and diverse events to the kingdom. WWE has traditionally held two major events annually in Saudi Arabia since 2019, including Crown Jewel and a spring event, and the trend of increased Saudi shows is projected to grow through 2026 and beyond[2].
Industry watchers anticipate WWE will build on this foundation by possibly developing Saudi-based talent academies and talent pipelines, further localizing the product and tapping into one of the fastest-growing fan bases globally.
Summary:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| WWE office | New permanent office opened in Riyadh |
| WrestleMania 43 | Scheduled for 2027 in Riyadh, first ever outside North America |
| Saudi financial commitment | Multi-million dollar investment, most lucrative WWE deal to date |
| Saudi exclusivity | Saudi officials requested sole WrestleMania in 2027 |
| WWE-Saudi partnership history | Began in 2018 with Greatest Royal Rumble, expanded to theme park, multiple PPVs |
| Strategic goals | Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030, long-term cultural & business partnership |
Sources from WWE.com, Fightful Select, TC WrestleVotes, and insider reports confirm this groundbreaking development marks the most significant moment in WWE’s international expansion to date, potentially reshaping the wrestling landscape for years to come[1][3][4][5].
As WWE and Saudi Arabia gear up for this historic WrestleMania, fans worldwide will be watching closely to see how the partnership elevates the spectacle and what new possibilities emerge from this landmark collaboration.