WWE is going to offer what is undoubtedly its most thrilling Premium Live Event of the year this weekend with the Royal Rumble 2026! Two colossal 30-person over-the-top-rope matches are on the agenda, one for the men’s roster and another for the women’s. At stake is a World Championship match of their choosing at WrestleMania this April. In addition, Drew McIntyre will defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn, while AJ Styles will risk his career in a match against Gunther.
For the first time in its history, the Royal Rumble will take place outside of North America. No matter your perspective, this year’s event is set to occur in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which results in a special start time of 2 pm on the East Coast of the United States. Read below to learn more about the WWE Royal Rumble 2026, starting time, how to watch, etc.
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Date & Start Time
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 is scheduled to be broadcast live on Saturday, January 31, commencing at a unique start time of 2 pm ET from the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
How to watch WWE Royal Rumble 2026?
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 will be available for streaming on the ESPN App within the United States and on Netflix for international viewers. Additional information can be found in ESPN’s official documentation.
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Match Card
AJ Styles vs. Gunther (If Styles loses, his WWE career will come to an end)
At the Royal Rumble, AJ Styles will risk his remarkable career against Gunther. The formidable Gunther has established himself as a career terminator by retiring legends such as Goldberg and John Cena, while consistently boasting about his triumphs over these two icons.
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship
Sami Zayn will have the opportunity of a lifetime as he faces Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble. In a demanding Three Stages of Hell Match, McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes to win the title.
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
The best female WWE Superstars are going to battle at Royal Rumble to earn a Women’s Championship Match on The biggest Stage of Them All, marking the start of the Path to WrestleMania.
Two Superstars will enter the ring to start the fight. A fresh Superstar joins the battle at equally spaced intervals. Elimination only occurs after a Superstar passes over the top rope and both feet have touched the floor. This keeps happening until just one lady remains as the Royal Rumble Match winner.
And the prize? When WrestleMania takes place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, there will undoubtedly be a Women’s Championship Match.
The Superstars listed below have signed up for the Royal Rumble Match this year:
- Ripley, Rhea
- IYO Sky Bayley
- Valkyria Lyra
- Liv Morgan
- Roxanne Perez
- Asuka
- Raquel Rodriguez
- Jordanne Grace
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
The top WWE Superstars will compete for a championship match at WrestleMania, and the Road to WrestleMania starts at the Royal Rumble.
Two legends will enter the ring to start the fight. A new Superstar joins the battle at equally spaced intervals. Only when a Superstar has crossed the top rope and both feet have hit the ground are they eliminated. This keeps happening until just one guy remains as the Royal Rumble Match winner.
