Custom-built Riyadh venue takes shape days before historic Royal Rumble
Summary
– Custom Royal Rumble stadium in Riyadh is nearly finished days before the event
– Photos and video reveal major progress on roof lighting and crowd areas
– Royal Rumble set for January 31 in Saudi Arabia
WWE is just days away from hosting the first international Royal Rumble, and new updates have provided the clearest look yet at the custom-built stadium in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District. The venue is being constructed specifically for the event, marking a rare and ambitious undertaking for the company.
On January 26, 2026, social media user Mohammed Waheed shared photos and videos showing the arena nearing completion only five days before the Royal Rumble. The footage highlighted the finished outer roof structure, expanded crowd areas, and the Royal Rumble logo now fully visible on the building. The update also noted that the crowd area will be used for both the scheduled press conference and the two nights of events.
Additional footage revealed newly installed LED lighting systems and upgraded production elements throughout the venue. The visuals suggested that WWE is aiming for a large-scale presentation rather than a temporary setup. The overall look aligns with the company’s recent focus on major international events.
This update followed an earlier reveal from January 18 by Mohammed Mansour, who first shared images of the arena’s foundation, lighting towers, and security checkpoints. That initial look surprised many fans, as WWE had never before constructed a venue entirely from scratch for a single event. Ticket sales had already begun before the location was publicly revealed, adding to the unusual rollout.
Despite the unconventional approach, demand for the event has been strong. Royal Rumble 2026 is scheduled for January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With construction nearing completion, attention now turns to whether WWE’s ambitious project will be fully ready when the Road to WrestleMania officially begins.
