WWE plans to hold three premium live events in Saudi Arabia in 2026, beginning with the Royal Rumble, marking its first occurrence outside North America. Chief Financial Officer Andrew Schleimer indicated that limiting PLEs in 2025 would adversely affect revenue projections. Recent announcements also include a $75 million dividend to investors amid ongoing staff discontent following recent corporate changes.
In 2026, WWE will expand its presence in Saudi Arabia by holding three premium live events (PLEs), beginning with the Royal Rumble, which will be the first time this significant event occurs outside North America. Since 2018, Saudi Arabia has been a host for several WWE events, including Crown Jewel, Greatest Royal Rumble, and King and Queen of the Ring, along with episodes of Raw and SmackDown.
During TKO’s recent earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Andrew Schleimer stated that limiting WWE to one PLE in Saudi Arabia in 2025 could negatively impact the company’s 2025 revenue plan by approximately $55 million. To counteract this expected loss, it has been confirmed that WWE intends to hold three major PLEs in Saudi Arabia throughout 2026.
Alongside the announcement regarding the Saudi events, TKO revealed it would be disbursing $75 million to investors as a stockholders’ dividend. This decision follows recent cuts within WWE since its parent company took over operations in 2023, leading to growing frustration among WWE staff.
WWE’s decision to host three premium live events in Saudi Arabia during 2026 marks a significant strategy shift, likely driven by financial adequacy and maximizing revenue. The Royal Rumble’s location is a historic first outside North America, and prior events hint at Saudi Arabia’s increasing importance in WWE’s global outreach. Coupled with a substantial dividend payout, it remains crucial for WWE to navigate internal staff sentiments following operational changes post-acquisition.
Original Source: tjrwrestling.net
