WWE Royal Rumble 2026: Historic Event Heads to Riyadh with Stacked Predictions
LONDON, 19 January 2026 – The Road to WrestleMania 42 kicks off in historic fashion this month as WWE presents the 39th annual Royal Rumble from the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Marking the first time the iconic event will be held outside North America, the premium live event promises major surprises and will set the stage for the grand spectacle in Las Vegas.
Event Details & Broadcast Information
Scheduled for Saturday 31 January 2026, the Royal Rumble will have a special start time to accommodate the global audience. The show is set to begin at 7pm UK time (10pm local time in Riyadh). In a significant broadcasting shift, the event will livestream on the ESPN app in the United States, while fans internationally can watch via Netflix. The January 30 episode of Friday Night SmackDown will also be taped at the same venue in Riyadh.
Confirmed Matches & Participants
As of 19 January, the official match card remains fluid, but several key bouts have been confirmed or are heavily anticipated based on current WWE storylines.
The centrepieces are, of course, the traditional 30-person battle royals. The winners of the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches will earn a championship match at WrestleMania 42, with the choice of which brand’s world title to challenge for.
To date, only one superstar has been officially announced for the Men’s Royal Rumble: Cody Rhodes, who declared his entry on the 16 January episode of SmackDown.
Furthermore, Drew McIntyre will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship. His opponent will be determined by a Fatal Four-Way match on the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event, featuring Randy Orton, Trick Williams, Damian Priest, and Sami Zayn.
Key Facts & Predictions
| Aspect | Details & Rumours |
|---|---|
| Men’s Rumble Favourite | Roman Reigns is widely tipped by insiders as the frontrunner to win, potentially setting up a third WrestleMania clash with Cody Rhodes. Other strong candidates include Bron Breakker and Sami Zayn. |
| Women’s Rumble Favourite | The field is considered open. Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair (if healthy) are leading predictions, with Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill also in the conversation. |
| Major Returns Expected | Backstage reports indicate several stars are scheduled to return in Riyadh, including LA Knight, Chad Gable, Jacob Fatu, and Dominik Mysterio from injury, with Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, and Tiffany Stratton also slated to appear. |
| Potential Surprise Entrants | Rumours are swirling about possible shock appearances. Former AEW star Chris Jericho is heavily linked with a return. Legends like Paige (Saraya) and call-ups from NXT such as Sol Ruca are also speculated. |
| Other Predicted Matches | Analysts predict a WWE Tag Team Championship match between The Wyatt Sicks and The MFTs, and a potential World Heavyweight Championship bout involving CM Punk. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Royal Rumble 2026?
The event will take place on Saturday 31 January 2026 at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
What time does Royal Rumble 2026 start in the UK?
The show is scheduled to start at 7pm UK time.
How can I watch Royal Rumble 2026?
In the United States, the event will livestream on the ESPN app. Internationally, it will be available on Netflix, as well as the WWE Network in select European markets.
Who is confirmed for the Royal Rumble matches?
As of 19 January, only Cody Rhodes has been officially announced for the Men’s Royal Rumble match. No participants have been confirmed for the Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Is this the first Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. While WWE has held events in Saudi Arabia since 2018, this will be the first time the traditional Royal Rumble pay-per-view is hosted outside North America.