Fans Unhappy With WWE 'Selling Out' Wrestlemania to Saudi Arabia

WWE has officially confirmed that WrestleMania 43 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027 as part of the country’s Riyadh Season, a large-scale entertainment festival. This marks a historic milestone for the company, as it will be the first time WrestleMania is staged outside of the United States or Canada.

The event is tied to WWE’s ongoing partnership with Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), overseen by Turki Alalshikh, and comes under the umbrella of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 project, which is aimed at expanding the entertainment and cultural industries. WWE has already held multiple events in Saudi Arabia, such as Crown Jewel, Night of Champions, and The Greatest Royal Rumble, but not an event as big as Wrestlemania.

The announcement, however, has not come without pushback. A significant portion of WWE’s fanbase reacted negatively when the news was revealed during the Worlds Collide event, with live audiences booing and chanting “You sold out.” Much of the criticism centers on the idea that WWE is prioritizing financial incentives over principles, especially given Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and past restrictions on women’s rights and freedom of expression. Concerns have also been raised about how cultural and political considerations might impact the presentation of the show, such as the attire and participation of female wrestlers. On top of that, some fans feel overlooked as the company bypassed other popular international markets, such as London or Paris, in favor of Riyadh, breaking WrestleMania’s decades-long North American tradition.

From WWE’s perspective, the decision carries clear benefits. The financial incentive is enormous, as Saudi events have historically generated revenue comparable to or greater than some WrestleMania weekends. By moving its biggest show abroad, WWE also signals its ambition to expand its global footprint, positioning itself as a worldwide entertainment powerhouse rather than a primarily North American brand. For Saudi Arabia, the move aligns perfectly with Vision 2030, a program designed to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and improve its international image by investing heavily in sports and entertainment. WrestleMania, being WWE’s crown jewel, serves as both a symbol of prestige and a draw for global attention.

There are still many questions and challenges ahead. The financial details are unclear, and organizing such a large event in Saudi Arabia raises logistical and cultural issues. There are also concerns about travel, visas, and infrastructure, along with potential reputational risks for WWE. Despite the excitement, these uncertainties highlight the complexity of staging WrestleMania 43 in this environment.