Backstage Note on Why WWE Crown Jewel 2026 Is Moving Venues

As previously reported, Riyadh Season announced yesterday that WWE Crown Jewel 2026 was moving venues and ticket holders were being refunded. The announcement came after construction had already begun on a temporary outdoor stadium for the event.

During today’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer elaborated further on the change, which occurs amid a myriad of security concerns surrounding the event. As noted, the U.S. State Department issued a Level 3 advisory, warning U.S. citizens not to travel to Saudi Arabia.

Also, the U.S. Embassy in the country has issued multiple security alerts regarding travel in the region. Additionally, non-emergency government employees and their families were ordered by the Embassy to leave the region. This is due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the Iran War, with the Iranian-supported Houthi forces targeting airports and U.S. government officials in the region.

Speaking on the situation, Meltzer stated, “They were building a stadium, Riyadh Season Stadium. It was outdoors, and the WWE show was going to be there. They announced a move. I don’t even know if it’s been officially announced, but they’re moving to Kingdom Arena, which is the same building that the Canelo Alvarez fight on Saturday is going to be held. So, some people were like — when it was first announced, thought like something big was up.”

According to Meltzer, the venue is changing due to the belief that an indoor venue is safer than an outdoor one. He continued, “Essentially, the claim is that it is safer to run the show indoors than outdoors, which makes all the sense in the world. So they’re going to move the show indoors.”

When Meltzer’s co-host Bryan Alvarez questioned why an indoor venue is safer, when an indoor venue could just as well be attacked like an outdoor one, Meltzer responded, “They think it’s safer because it’s easier to keep people out if it’s indoors. Instead of people sneaking in as easier –”

Alvarez then jokingly questioned, “Instead of them climbing the giant walls of the stadium, they have to go through the doors to get in?” Meltzer then replied that rather than a safety issue, it could really be a matter of low ticket sales. “Hey, maybe it’s just that they didn’t sell enough tickets and it’s moving indoors like that WrestleMania.”

Of course, Meltzer is referring to WrestleMania VII in 1991. The event was originally scheduled for the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which would’ve held a huge capacity crowd. However, WWE (then WWF) later moved the event due to reported security concerns around the Gulf War and the charged angle with former WWE Champion Sgt. Slaughter portraying a pro-Saddam Hussein Iraqi sympathizer on TV.

However, it’s stated the real reason the event moved to the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena nearby was due to low ticket sales. WrestleMania VII did go off as planned, but in a much smaller venue.

Meltzer also reported that the venue change was a decision made by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and not WWE.

WWE Has Not Yet Announced a Change in Venue for Crown Jewel

Despite Riyadh Season’s announcement, WWE has yet to announce or confirm a change in venue to the Kingdom Arena for WWE Crown Jewel 2026. The promotion has maintained that the event would remain in Saudi Arabia amid concerns over the ongoing situation in the Middle East and the Iran war.

WWE parent company TKO is also promoting a boxing fight, which Meltzer referenced earlier, in Riyadh on Saturday, October 31. The fight will feature a Zuffa Boxing match, headlined by Saul “Canelo” Álvarez against Christian Mbilli at the Kingdom Arena, which WWE has yet to confirm as the new venue for Crown Jewel.

For now, WWE Crown Jewel 2026 is currently still advertised for November 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The originally planned venue was the Riyadh Season Stadium at KAFD.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Wrestling Observer Radio with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.