Although no exact details have been announced, Riyadh Season 2026 is expected to begin in October.
The upcoming edition will see the dedicated entertainment season return to the capital city for its seventh edition, following the festival's launch in 2019. Over the last number of years in particular, Riyadh Season has become a calendar staple for Saudi and Riyadh residents, but also a calling card for international visitors. Through a series of incredible experiences, worlds and events, the annual entertainment programme has developed into a major calendar of international sporting events, concerts, entertainment and experiences across the Saudi capital.
And now, the first major event of the Riyadh Season 2026 calendar has been confirmed. WWE Crown Jewel is returning to Riyadh.
What we know about Crown Jewel 2026
This will be the second time WWE Crown Jewel will be hosted in Riyadh. The Crown Jewel event will return to Riyadh following the 2025 edition which was held in Perth, Australia.
In November 2024, the event was also part of the Riyadh Season calendar. This event was particularly notable for introducing the Crown Jewel Championship, with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defeating World Heavyweight Champion Gunther to become the inaugural men's Crown Jewel Champion, while Liv Morgan defeated WWE Women's Champion Nia Jax to become the inaugural women's champion.
The confirmation of the event and the announcement was made by Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, on X (formerly Twitter). His Excellency shared a video announcement and confirmed the event as part of the upcoming season, saying: "Riyadh is set for a night like no other, WWE's biggest Superstars collide in the capital for an action-packed Crown Jewel you won't want to miss!"
For Riyadh Season 2026, WWE has confirmed the date and the venue, but the match card, participating talent and ticketing information have not yet been announced. It is also too early to confirm whether WWE will retain the Crown Jewel Championship format used in recent editions.
Saudi Arabia & WWE
WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia dates back to 2018, when the promotion entered into a long-term partnership with the Kingdom as part of efforts to expand the country’s entertainment and sporting calendar.
The partnership began with the Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah on April 27, 2018, a landmark event featuring a first-ever 50-man Royal Rumble match. Braun Strowman won the match, while the card also featured John Cena, Triple H, The Undertaker and Roman Reigns. WWE described the event as the first under its long-term partnership with the Saudi General Sports Authority.
Later that same year, WWE staged the first edition of the Crown Jewel in Riyadh on November 2, 2018, at King Fahd International Stadium. This showcase was an anchor event of Riyadh Season, and since then the WWE has been consistently involved in bringing live events to Saudi Arabia during Riyadh Season, and outside of it.
The relationship reached another milestone in 2024, when Crown Jewel returned to Riyadh on November 2 at Mohammed Abdo Arena as part of Riyadh Season 2025. The event introduced the men's and women's Crown Jewel Championship matches, establishing a format that has since become associated with the annual event.
Earlier this year, the WWE's presence in Saudi Arabia reached a new scale. On January 31, Riyadh hosted the 39th Royal Rumble at King Abdullah Financial District, marking the first time the flagship WWE event had been held outside North America. Roman Reigns won the men's Royal Rumble, while Liv Morgan won the women's match, with both earning championship opportunities at WrestleMania.
Then during the summer, the Kingdom then welcomed Night of Champions to Kingdom Arena on June 27, marking the event's second consecutive year in Riyadh. The night saw Sami Zayn defeat Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a Triple Threat Match to become Undisputed WWE Champion, while Oba Femi won the King of the Ring tournament and IYO SKY won Queen of the Ring.
Now, WWE is preparing to return to Riyadh for Crown Jewel on November 7, 2026, which will form part of seventh edition o fRiyadh Season, slated to begin in October 2026.
Riyadh Season 2026 - WWE Crown Jewel at Riyadh Season Arena in KAFD,
Saturday, November 7, 2026,
Tickets are not yet available, but will be released via WeBook.com
@riyadhseason @wwemena
