TKO Group Holdings has addressed concerns about WWE WrestleMania 43 taking place in Saudi Arabia. Company president Mark Shapiro asserted the event remains on track despite the ongoing conflict.

During TKO’s third-quarter 2026 earnings call, Shapiro discussed the possibility of WrestleMania 43 shifting from Saudi Arabia in April 2027. While admitting global events can be unpredictable, he revealed that TKO has already received half the payment for the show. The company also has several cities ready to step in if needed.

Mark Shapiro addresses WWE WrestleMania 43 Saudi Arabia deal and relocation prospects

With the ongoing conflict raising questions about WWE’s international events, Shapiro answered whether the situation in the Middle East could affect WrestleMania 43.

“I would tell you that the risk is extremely minimal. I think we’ve endured the tough climb thus far this year. We’ve had no events interrupted. We’ve staged all of our events in the Middle East flawlessly. We have three events left this year. One being November 7th with Crown Jewel which should be a big one for us. We are all systems go, and I would just say further, Vice President comes out today and says it’s very clear voters have spoken, and they’ve obviously spoken with their votes, and we need to get this conflict in Iran wrapped up. So, just a week ago, you’re talking about dropping more bombs, and now they’re talking about wrapping up. Who knows what’s real and what’s true, or just proceeding forward with our partners as if these events will go off without a hitch, and I would just add for those of you that are concerned about if this extends further, does this put WrestleMania which is in Saudi next year at risk, I would just tell you it’s at no more risk than it ever was, given that the world is an unpredictable place,” Shapiro stated (H/T: Fightful Select).

TKO still has several events scheduled in the region before the end of the year. These include WWE Crown Jewel on November 7 in Riyadh and UFC Fight Night in Doha on November 21. UFC also returns to Riyadh in early December.

A big takeaway from the earnings call was the payment agreement between WWE and its Saudi partners for WrestleMania 43.

“We have already been paid half upfront and received the funds from our partners in Saudi, and if and when our event ever had to be moved because it would never be cancelled, we will certainly and definitely see payment on the other half so come rain or shine, we’re getting the other half payment. So we’re sitting in a good place, and as far as contingency goes, it’s a long list of cities, primarily in the U.S., that we would move a WrestleMania to. Of course you wouldn’t get the F.I.P. because it would be last minute. But nonetheless, we’d get the sell-out. So we have cities lining up kind of raising their hands, standing willing, ready, and waiting, and we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it but frankly, we’re not concerned,” Shapiro explained.

TKO CFO Andrew Schleimer also shared more details about the agreement. He confirmed that Saudi partners keep the ticket revenue, while TKO receives a guaranteed fee.

“There are no KPIs in the agreement on visitation. Our partners in Saudi do retain the box office. That does not ignore our benefit, unlike some of the other models we’re seeing now that the FIP effort has been developed more as we go to market. We get paid. We’ve received half our fee already. Despite where folks come from or what that sellout looks like in terms of demos, we’re getting paid. On the partnership side, this is an event that was legislated in our deal with ESPN that will be US prime for a WrestleMania PLE. In terms of the media value, we are very excited that we will be able to sell through to our existing partners that will get exposure as if this were a regular PLE,” Schleimer explained (H/T: Fightful Select).

For now, TKO has no immediate plans to move WrestleMania 43. Moreover, the company intends to work with its Saudi partners as planned.