WWE Bringing PLE To This Country For The First Time Ever

WWE has been actively expanding its international presence in recent years, marking significant growth beyond its United States base.

The company has hosted major events and tours in various countries, including large shows in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Canada. For example, the 2023 and 2024 premium live events included venues in England, Scotland, Wales, and recently Paris, France, showcasing WWE’s commitment to reaching fans worldwide.

A major milestone in the Stamford-based company’s global growth was the announcement of WrestleMania 43, which is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027. This is a historic first, as WrestleMania has never before been held outside North America since its inception in 1985.

The announcement was made during a press conference in Las Vegas in September 2025, where Triple H spoke about how this move aligns with the company’s vision to globalize its flagship event.

This venue choice capitalizes on WWE’s long-standing partnership with Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and marks a new era for the event’s international outreach. The event will be part of Riyadh Season, which includes a variety of cultural and entertainment festivities planned for the region.

Following the trend of expanding WWE’s key events abroad, president Nick Khan announced during an interview with SportsBusiness that Italy will host its first-ever Premium Live Event in 2026.

Although the Stamford-based company has held TV tapings and smaller house shows in Italy before, this will be the first time the company hosts a major PLE event there. The exact date and city are yet to be confirmed.

How Did the WWE Universe React to WrestleMania 43 Announcement?

WWE’s announcement that WrestleMania 43 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027 received mostly negative reactions from fans worldwide. Many fans expressed disappointment and frustration, feeling that WWE “sold out” by choosing a location far from its traditional North American base.

Social media amplified these sentiments, with numerous wrestling fans accusing the Stamford-based company of prioritizing money over its fanbase. But there have been a few voices, like Booker T and JBL, who defended WWE’s move as a step forward in expanding wrestling’s global footprint, noting that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of large entertainment events is part of cultural change and modernization efforts.

However, the majority of fan reactions remain skeptical or outright opposed, viewing the announcement as a controversial and divisive shift for WWE’s flagship event.