WWE‘s Royal Rumble is sort of right here to kick off the Street to Wrestlemania. The Jan. 31 occasion is already gearing as much as be epic, however what makes this 12 months’s Royal Rumble much more noteworthy is the truth that it will happen, for the primary time ever, outdoors of North America and within the metropolis of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Â
The skilled wrestling battle royale hits the worldwide stage with a formidable quantity of buzz. Whoever wins the Males’s and Ladies’s 30-person Royal Rumble matches will get their shot on the world championship belt of their selecting at Wrestlemania 42. Final 12 months’s Rumble noticed Jey Uso stroll away the winner, besting John Cena within the course of, and he went on to win the World Heavyweight Championship title from Gunther.
This 12 months, it is anybody’s sport. Though rumors are swirling concerning Roman Reigns’ involvement and whether or not Chris Jericho will make his WWE return since his AEW contract expired in 2025. The match I’m most excited for, although, is AJ Types and Gunther. After Gunther defeated Cena throughout his last match in December, Types has had his eyes on placing the Ring Normal in his place. Will this rematch discover the Phenomenal One victorious, or will he be pressured to retire sooner than deliberate?
What ought to viewers anticipate this time round from the Premium Reside Occasion? Learn on to search out out all the things it’s essential learn about WWE’s thirty ninth annual Royal Rumble.
Learn extra: ESPN Unlimited Review: Best for Bundlers and ESPN Lovers
Jimmy and Jey Uso make their entrance throughout the Dec. 8 episode of Monday Night time RAW.
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 match card
Listed here are the confirmed matches for the WWE Royal Rumble 2026:
- Drew McIntyre versus TBA for the WWE Championship (the challenger can be selected Jan. 24 at Saturday Night time’s Foremost Occasion)
- AJ Types versus Gunther (if Types loses, he should retire from in-ring competitors)
- Males’s Royal Rumble Match
- Ladies’s Royal Rumble Match
Up to now, 15 of the 60 Royal Rumble opponents have been introduced. As of this text’s writing, the most recent episodes of SmackDown, Saturday Night time’s Foremost Occasion and Monday Night time RAW have but to air. We’ll get extra names quickly, and I’ll replace the opponents record beneath accordingly.
Confirmed Males’s Rumble opponents:
- Cody Rhodes
- Gunther
- Jey Uso
- Rey Mysterio
- Dragon Lee
- Penta
Confirmed Ladies’s Rumble opponents:
- Rhea Ripley
- IYO SKY
- Liv Morgan
- Roxanne Perez
- Raquel Rodriguez
- Bayley
- Asuka
- Lyra Valkyria
- Kairi Sane
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WWE Royal Rumble 2026 date and begin time
The thirty ninth Royal Rumble takes place on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. If the beginning time feels uncharacteristically early, that is as a result of the Premium Reside Occasion can be occurring in Saudi Arabia.
The place will the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 happen?
This 12 months’s Royal Rumble will occur on the King Abdullah Monetary District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Tips on how to watch the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 within the US
You possibly can watch this 12 months’s Royal Rumble and all main WWE Premium Reside Occasions on the ESPN app. Preshow protection is ready to start at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT. To entry the occasion, you will must subscribe to ESPN’s Limitless plan.
To look at the Royal Rumble, you will must subscribe to ESPN’s Limitless plan via the ESPN app. The tier prices $30 per thirty days or $300 per 12 months. For those who’re interested by bundling companies to avoid wasting cash, take a look at the Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle. It is usually $36, however offers are semi-regular that knock the value right down to $30.
Tips on how to watch WWE Royal Rumble 2026 outdoors of the US
Whereas US Netflix subscribers will not be capable of watch the WWE Royal Rumble, international subscribers can entry the occasion stay on the streamer.
Followers in international locations like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand and the UK will all be capable of tune into the Rumble stay — which implies some viewers can be watching in the midst of the night time.
Netflix has elevated its streaming costs once more. The ad-based plan is $8 a month, the Customary plan is $18, and the streamer’s Premium plan is $25. For those who’re a premium subscriber and need to share your account with somebody outdoors your family, you will should pay an extra member payment of $8.
