WWE's WrestleMania Eyes Saudi Arabia for Historic 2027 Debut Outside the U.S.: Report

The unthinkable has finally become reality as WrestleMania, WWE’s biggest and most iconic event, is rumoured to be heading outside the United States for the very first time. According to Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host WrestleMania 43 in 2027. The news broke during Alalshikh’s Snapchat live stream on Wednesday, instantly setting the wrestling world abuzz.

In his translated statement, Alalshikh proudly announced: “WrestleMania has been announced, for the first time outside of America, WrestleMania in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2027.” Shortly after, PWInsider’s Mike Johnson confirmed the story’s authenticity, noting that a press release had gone out in Arabic earlier in the day before being pulled back for timing reasons. WWE itself has yet to issue a formal confirmation, but with multiple sources lining up, the announcement looks all but official.

For years, Saudi Arabia has been rumoured to be chasing WrestleMania. The Kingdom has already secured blockbuster WWE events, such as the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018, and continues to host premium shows under its long-term partnership with WWE. However, WrestleMania is a different beast, known as the “Showcase of the Immortals,” where legends are made and history is written. If all goes as planned, 2027 will mark the first time in its 40+ year history that WrestleMania leaves American soil.

This isn’t just big news for wrestling fans, but it’s also another step in Saudi Arabia’s mission to position itself as a global sports and entertainment hub. Over the last few years, the Kingdom has thrown its weight behind high-profile events across multiple sports. From hosting Formula 1 races in Jeddah to bringing in mega fights in boxing and MMA, Saudi Arabia has turned itself into a must-stop destination on the international sports calendar.

Esports, too, has found a new home there. In 2024 and 2025, Riyadh hosted the Esports World Cup (EWC), which was a groundbreaking event that drew the best players and organisations from around the world with record-setting prize pools and production values. The success of the EWC cemented Saudi Arabia’s ambition to not only be a player but a powerhouse in modern competitive entertainment.

Of course, there are questions that still arise. How will WWE balance its traditional US fanbase with this overseas expansion? What cultural flavour will Saudi Arabia bring to the event? And how would this reshape the future of WWE’s biggest annual show?