WWE presents arguably its most exciting Premium Live Event of the year this weekend with the Royal Rumble! Two massive 30-person over-the-top-rope matches will take place, one for the men’s roster and another for the women’s. On the line is a World Championship match of their choosing at WrestleMania this April. And that’s not all: Drew McIntyre will defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn, and AJ Styles puts his career on the line against Gunther.
For the first time ever, Royal Rumble takes place outside of North America – no matter how you feel about it, this year’s Rumble goes down from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which means a special start time of 2pm on the east coast of the United States.
Get caught up with everything you need to know to enjoy WWE Royal Rumble 2026:
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 date and start time
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 will air live on Saturday, January 31 at a special start time of 2pm ET from the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
How to watch WWE Royal Rumble 2026
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 will stream on the ESPN App in the United States, and Netflix internationally. Get some more details from ESPN’s official documentation.
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 card
AJ Styles vs. Gunther (If Styles loses, his WWE career is over)
WWE’s official preview:
At Royal Rumble, AJ Styles will put his incredible career on the line against Gunther.
The dominant Gunther has built a reputation as a career killer by retiring Goldberg and John Cena while never missing an opportunity to crow about his victories against the two Legends.
Fed up with The Ring General and his never-ending disrespect toward The Greatest of All Time, Styles collided with his outspoken adversary in an incredible showdown on the Jan. 12 edition of Raw. In that match, Gunther escaped the Calf Crusher by tapping out in a position where the official couldn’t see it, then quickly delivering an uppercut below the belt and a Powerbomb for the three-count.
Eager for retribution, The Phenomenal One again confronted Gunther on the Jan. 19 edition of Raw. The only way The Ring General would agree to a rematch with Styles, though, was if The Phenomenal One put his career on the line.
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship
WWE’s official preview:
Sami Zayn will get the chance of a lifetime as he challenges Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre at Royal Rumble.
McIntyre recently captured the title by defeating Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell Match.
Zayn earned the championship bout by taking down Ilja Dragunov in a Qualifying Match on SmackDown before besting Randy Orton, Damian Priest and Trick Williams in a Fatal 4-Way Match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
This will be The Scottish Warrior’s first title defense, and it comes against someone he knows very well.
Zayn has never defeated McIntyre one-on-one, with his record standing at an astonishing 0-12 against The Scottish Warrior.
Zayn has made it his priority to become a world champion for the first time, but can he defy the odds and finally win the Undisputed WWE Title?
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
WWE’s official preview:
The Road to WrestleMania begins at Royal Rumble, and the top female Superstars in WWE are set to compete to earn a Women’s Championship Match on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
The match will begin with two Superstars in the ring. At equally timed intervals, a new Superstar enters the fray. Elimination only occurs when a Superstar has gone over the top rope and both feet have touched the floor. This continues until there is just one woman left standing as the winner of the Royal Rumble Match.
And the prize? A guaranteed Women’s Championship Match when WrestleMania comes to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19.
The following Superstars have declared for this year’s Royal Rumble Match:
- Rhea Ripley
- IYO SKY
- Bayley
- Lyra Valkyria
- Liv Morgan
- Roxanne Perez
- Raquel Rodriguez
- Asuka
- Jordynne Grace
- Becky Lynch
- Chelsea Green
- Charlotte Flair
- Alexa Bliss
- Nia Jax
- Lash Legend
- Giulia
- Maxxine Dupri
Which Superstars will join the free-for-all for a chance to earn a title matchup at The Showcase of the Immortals?
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
WWE’s official preview:
The Road to WrestleMania begins at Royal Rumble, and the top Superstars in WWE are set to compete for a championship bout at WrestleMania.
The match will begin with two Superstars in the ring. At equally timed intervals, a new Superstar enters the fray. Elimination only occurs when a Superstar has gone over the top rope and both feet have touched the floor. This continues until there is just one man left standing as the winner of the Royal Rumble Match.
And the prize? A guaranteed World Championship Match when WrestleMania comes to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19.
The following Superstars have declared for this year’s Royal Rumble Match.
- Roman Reigns
- Cody Rhodes
- Gunther
- Brock Lesnar
- Jey Uso
- Rey Mysterio
- Dragon Lee
- Penta
- Bron Breakker
- Bronson Reed
- Logan Paul
- Austin Theory
- Je’Von Evans
- Oba Femi
Which Superstars will join the free-for-all for a chance to earn a title matchup on The Grandest Stage of Them All?
