The 2026 WWE Royal Rumble promises to be one of the most talked-about – and debated – events in the company’s modern era. Set for January 31, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the 39th annual edition is historic on multiple fronts: it’s the first traditional Royal Rumble ever held outside North America, the first of WWE’s Big Five events hosted in Saudi Arabia, and the latest milestone in WWE’s long-running partnership with the Kingdom under the broader Saudi Vision 2030 initiative.
All of these factors combine to create a Royal Rumble that is as symbolically important as it is narratively pivotal, serving as the grand launch point for the Road to WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
From a purely spectacle-driven standpoint, Riyadh provides a fittingly grand stage. WWE has steadily expanded its global reach, and bringing a tentpole event like the Royal Rumble to Saudi Arabia signals the company’s commitment to internationalising its marquee shows. It also marks WWE’s 14th event in the Kingdom and the second Rumble-style match to be held there, following the 50-man Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018. This, however, is the first proper Royal Rumble with WrestleMania stakes attached – a distinction that carries substantial weight.
Yet the choice of venue is undeniably controversial. WWE’s partnership with Saudi Arabia has often drawn criticism from fans, journalists, and human-rights advocates who argue that hosting major entertainment events there glosses over systemic issues in the region. Each Saudi-hosted WWE event has sparked debates about social reform, cultural diplomacy, and the role of Western entertainment in political soft power. Bringing one of WWE’s most beloved and tradition-rich events to Riyadh magnifies that scrutiny. While WWE frames the move as both an expansion of global fandom and a contribution to Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector growth, detractors argue that the company is prioritising profit over principle.
Within this tension, the 2026 Royal Rumble exists as both an exciting new chapter and a lightning rod. Fans who are uncomfortable with the setting may nevertheless tune in because the Rumble is simply too integral to the WWE calendar to ignore. And, to WWE’s credit, previous Saudi events have shown steady progress on inclusivity – most notably the introduction of women’s matches in 2019, a landmark moment in the country’s entertainment history. The 2026 edition will continue that trajectory with the Women’s Royal Rumble match, whose winner earns the right to challenge for either the Raw Women’s World Championship or the SmackDown Women’s Championship at WrestleMania.
As always, however, the magic of the Royal Rumble lies in its unpredictability and its role as the official gateway to WrestleMania. The men’s match – where the winner selects between the World Heavyweight Championship on Raw or the Undisputed WWE Championship on SmackDown – will shape the marquee storylines heading into WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. Surprise entrants, shocking eliminations, and breakout performances will fuel months of speculation. Who will punch their ticket to Sin City? Which rising star will seize the moment? And which veteran might have one last epic run left in them?
In addition, reigning Universal Champion Drew McIntyre will put his title on the line against Sami Zayn – who is enormously popular in the Middle East because of his Islamic heritage – while the legendary AJ Styles will take on the imposing Gunther in a “Career Threatening Match”, in which the former will be forced to retire from in-ring competition if he loses.
Whether celebrated or criticised, the 2026 Royal Rumble will be impossible to ignore. It’s a convergence of global ambition, cultural debate, and classic WWE drama – exactly the kind of chaotic energy that makes the Road to WrestleMania unforgettable.
Match card (subject to change)
– Men’s Royal Rumble Match
– Women’s Royal Rumble Match
– Drew McCintyre v Sami Zayn – Singles Match for the Undisputed WWE Championship
– AJ Styles v Gunther – Career Threatening Match*
(*If Styles loses, he must retire from in-ring competition)
WWE: Royal Rumble
Saturday 31 January, 21:00 – LIVE on WWE Channel, SuperSport Action and SuperSport Maximo 1
