Mark Shapiro Says More TKO Events May Be Announced For Middle East This Year

TKO may end up announcing a couple of additional events for the Middle East before the end of the year, according to CCO Mark Shapiro. Shapiro recently spoke at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference on Tuesday and during the presentation, he discussed TKO’s partnership with Saudi Arabia.

Shapiro talked about WrestleMania 43 taking place in Saudi Arabia and how the region is looking for more live events despite the instability in the region due to the US and Israel’s war with Iran. In addition to WrestleMania 43,. WWE will hold WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia in November while the UFC will host events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

“Obviously, nothing bigger next year than WrestleMania being in Saudi Arabia, which will be one to remember and one not to miss,” Shapiro said (per Investing.com). “Of course, our partners in Saudi bring the UFC and WWE to their region because they’re trying to draw attendance from not just around the globe, but certainly in the Middle East. All I would tell you is when it comes to the Middle East, despite what’s going on, despite how much longer that may go on, they’re open for business. In fact, I would tell you they’re more hungry to bring live events, not just sports, but concerts to the Middle East to show the world and tourism and fans that they’re open for business and they’re not slowing down.”

Shapiro added, “We’ve stayed on track with our events for this year. We still have two more events this year. may actually announce a couple more this year. That’s how much demand we’re seeing, and I think that’s ultimately the headline among the headlines when it comes to TKO and where we sit in the sports entertainment ecosystem. Demand is outstripping supply.”

No word on whether these potential additional events will be for WWE or the UFC, nor when or where they would take place.