TKO Reaffirms WWE WrestleMania 43 Saudi Arabia Schedule Amid Relocation Concerns

TKO Group Holdings has responded to concerns regarding WWE WrestleMania 43 being held in Saudi Arabia, stating that the event remains on schedule despite the current regional conflict.

In its third‑quarter 2026 earnings call, President Mark Shapiro noted that WrestleMania 43 could be relocated from Saudi Arabia in April 2027. He acknowledged that global events are unpredictable but confirmed that TKO has already received half of the payment for the show and has several alternative host cities ready.

TKO’s Mark Shapiro Discusses WWE WrestleMania 43 Saudi Arabia Deal and Relocation Options

Given the ongoing conflict, Shapiro was asked whether Middle‑East instability could impact WrestleMania 43.

Shapiro said the risk is minimal, noting that no events have been interrupted this year and all Middle‑East productions have been executed flawlessly. He emphasized that WrestleMania 43 is no more vulnerable now than it has ever been, as the world remains uncertain.

TKO continues to have several events scheduled in the region before year‑end, including WWE Crown Jewel on November 7 in Riyadh and a UFC Fight Night in Doha on November 21, with another UFC event planned for early December in Riyadh.

The earnings call highlighted the payment terms between WWE and its Saudi partners for WrestleMania 43.

Shapiro explained that half of the fee has already been paid upfront; the remaining half will be paid regardless of any relocation, ensuring the company is financially secure. He added that a list of U.S. cities is prepared to host the event at short notice if needed, though they would not benefit from the full profit‑sharing model, but a sell‑out is still expected.

CFO Andrew Schleimer clarified that Saudi partners retain ticket revenue while TKO receives a guaranteed fee, with no key performance indicators tied to attendance. He noted that the partnership differs from other models and that the event is covered under the ESPN‑linked legislation, making it a prime‑time Prime Live Event for the U.S. market.

Schleimer said the agreement includes no attendance‑based KPIs, and the Saudi partners keep box‑office revenue. He emphasized that TKO has already received half of its fee and will receive the remainder regardless of the event’s location or sell‑through demographics. He also expressed excitement about media exposure, stating that the event will be broadcast as a standard Prime Live Event.

TKO currently has no immediate plans to relocate WrestleMania 43 and intends to proceed with its Saudi partners as originally scheduled.

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