How to watch, start Time & Event Guide
Here’s everything you need to know before the road to WrestleMania 42 Begins in Riyadh.
The 2026 edition of the Royal Rumble is shaping up to be one of the most historic events in WWE history, the Rumble has a four‑decade legacy to live up to and for the first time ever, the traditional Premium Live Event (PLE) will take place outside North America. The host city is none other than Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia, as part of the massive Riyadh Season festivities.
Set for Saturday, January 31st, 2026, the 39th annual edition of the royal Rumble promises high‑stakes, drama, major surprises, and the official kick-off to the Road to WrestleMania 42, which will take place at Las Vegas. The 2026 Royal Rumble will be held at a temporary outdoor stadium in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fun Fact: The Royal Rumble was the most watched PLE on Netflix in 2025, with 3.2M viewers.
What’s the Start Time?
Because the event is taking place in Saudi Arabia, the start times differ significantly from the usual U.S. schedule:
Main Show Start Times
United States (ET): 2 PM
United States (PT): 11 AM
United Kingdom (GMT): 7 PM
Central Europe (CET): 8 PM
Kick-off and countdown shows will air an hour or two before the main show and they will include expert analysis, interviews, and match previews.
WWE is promoting the event as a centrepiece of their strategy to expand their international presence and fans attending Riyadh Season can expect a massive, festival‑style atmosphere surrounding the event.
How to Watch?
In the US: Viewers can stream the Royal Rumble exclusively on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers. ESPN will also feature interviews with superstars and also live results/post‑show analysis.
International: Viewers can watch the spectacle live on Netflix,
Confirmed & Announced Matches
Some major matches and storylines have already been confirmed:
Undisputed WWE Championship
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn stepping into the spotlight to take on Drew McIntyre is not just a match, it’s a moment charged with pride, identity, and dedication. Zayn carries the spirit of his Middle Eastern roots every time he walks down the ramp, showcasing an in-ring style fuelled by heart, courage, and defiance. In Riyadh, that energy hits different. The crowd feels him. They know him. They see a hometown hero in spirit, standing tall against one of WWE’s most dominant forces.
McIntyre brings brute power, and a ‘win by any means necessary’ mentality, but Sami brings a legacy built on resilience, shaped by culture, community, and a lifetime of fighting from underneath. This clash is more than a title bout; it’s a cultural crescendo waiting to explode. Can Sami Zayn finally pull of the unthinkable and become the Undisputed WWE Champion?
Career-Threatening Match
AJ Styles vs. Gunther
Gunther vs. AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble carries a weight that goes far beyond championships because the Ring General challenged The Phenomenal One to put his entire career on the line. In Riyadh, this showdown becomes a collision of legacies shaped on opposite sides of the world. Gunther arrives with the aura of a European juggernaut. The former Progress World Champion is disciplined, punishing, and unshakeable in his mission to dominate.
AJ Styles on the other hand, steps in with the pride of a global icon whose journey through Japan and beyond made him into one of the most complete performers alive. Their clash blends Gunther’s cold precision with Styles’ technical prowess and mastery, and what makes it even more monumental is AJ’s entire career hanging in the balance.
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
30 competitors will battle for a guaranteed World Title match at WrestleMania 42.
Rumours include potential surprise entrants such as Chris Jericho, although reports indicate he remains listed on the AEW roster.
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
30 women will compete for the chance to win a World Championship opportunity at WrestleMania 42. Possible returns could include the former Divas Champion Paige (Saraya), and another Canadian hero, Trish Stratus.
As January 31 approaches, excitement is reaching a fever pitch. With a groundbreaking venue, global broadcast changes, high‑profile matches, and the promise of shocking returns, the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 is set to be one of the most unforgettable events in WWE history.
Get ready for massive moments, seismic surprises, and the first steps toward WrestleMania 42, live from Riyadh – Saudi Arabia.
By Omer Hagomer