The Saudi Arabian sports authority is reportedly paying WWE a record sum to have WrestleMania 43 come to the country next year.
A report by Front Office Sports has detailed sporting events that are still scheduled to go ahead in Saudi Arabia despite the unrest in the country at this time. While the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament has been postponed, Canelo Alvarez’s next fight and WWE Crown Jewel are still scheduled to go ahead as planned.
As part of the report, an estimate from Morgan Stanley is included regarding WrestleMania 43 site fees. It is noted that the total is around $150 million for the April 2027 event:
Morgan Stanley “conservatively” estimates WWE is receiving $150 million in site fees for WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh in April 2027.
Previously, WWE have received $50 million per Saudi Arabia show. The 10-year agreement began back in 2018 with the Greatest Royal Rumble being the debut show. Two shows have taken place annually since, with the COVID pandemic being the only exception.
Uncertainty Remains Over WrestleMania 43 And Crown Jewel Due To Saudi Arabia Unrest
WWE is set to travel to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel on November 7, which will see the return of the champion vs. champion matches. However, the US government is advising citizens to reconsider their travel to the country over safety concerns.
Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen launched airstrikes against Saudi airports, oil and gas facilities, and military bases earlier in the month. This included Riyadh airport, which will be a short distance away from the stadium being constructed for Crown Jewel.
If the company deems it unsafe to travel, a backup plan is reportedly in place, which will see a venue in the United States host the event. Although the 2027 WrestleMania has been announced for Saudi Arabia, marking the first time it will be held outside of North America, no dates have been announced at this time.
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