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The Royal Rumble is finally here, and this year it’s heading somewhere it’s never been before. For the first time in nearly four decades, WWE is taking one of its biggest events outside North America. The WWE Royal Rumble 2026 takes place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where 30 men and 30 women will battle for a shot at glory at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas later this year.
How to Watch the WWE Royal Rumble at a Glance
Watch the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble Live for Free
The Royal Rumble has long been considered the official kickoff to WWE’s Road to WrestleMania season, and it’s easy to see why wrestling fans circle this date on their calendars every year. Thirty competitors enter the ring at timed intervals, battle royale-style, and can only be eliminated by being thrown over the top rope with both feet touching the floor. The last person standing doesn’t just get bragging rights—they earn a guaranteed championship match at WrestleMania, which heads to Las Vegas this April. Winners also get to choose which title they want to challenge for, whether it’s one of Raw’s championships or SmackDown’s belts.
This year’s event carries extra significance beyond just the WrestleMania stakes. It’s the first time in the Royal Rumble’s 39-year history that the event is taking place outside of North America, representing WWE’s growing global footprint. The outdoor stadium setting in Saudi Arabia also promises a visually impressive backdrop for what’s already one of wrestling’s most unpredictable spectacles. With only about two-thirds of the participants confirmed as of January 30, 2026, the remaining slots mean plenty of room for surprise returns, shocking debuts, and the kind of moments that become instant shares on social media.
The main card also features high-stakes championship action and a match with genuine career implications. AJ Styles faces GUNTHER in a bout where Styles must retire if he loses—a stipulation that adds real weight considering Styles has hinted that 2026 might be his final year in the ring anyway. Drew McIntyre defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn, who earned his shot by winning a hard-fought tournament.
Between the Rumble chaos, championship matches, and potential career-ending drama, Saturday’s card offers something for every type of wrestling fan. Keep on reading for how to watch without spending a dime.
How to Watch the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 on ESPN
The WWE Royal Rumble 2026 airs on Saturday, January 31, 2026, with preshow coverage beginning at noon ET and the main card starting at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN. If you don’t have cable, you can still catch all the action through streaming services that carry ESPN and offer free trials.
DirecTV Stream is a solid choice, offering ESPN across all its packages with a five-day free trial. Plans start at $89.99 per month after the trial ends. Fubo is another strong option with a seven-day free trial and ESPN included in its Pro package for $73.99 monthly. Hulu + Live TV provides access to ESPN at $89.99 per month and sweetens the deal by bundling Disney+ and Hulu’s on-demand library together with ESPN+ into one subscription. Lastly, Sling TV’s Orange package costs $45.99 per month with over 30 channels—including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3—making it the most budget-friendly monthly option for live sports streaming. Keep on reading ahead for a full breakdown of your streaming options.
Best Overall & EDITOR’S PICK
Watch the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble with DirecTV Stream
– Free trial: 5 days
– Includes local networks and 90+ channels
We tested every streaming service offering a free trial, and DirecTV came out on top as our editor’s pick. With its free trial and massive selection of channels and local networks, it’s a great choice for watching WWE’s Royal Rumble on ESPN.
Best Flexible Pick
Watch the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble with Fubo
– Free trial: Up to 5 days
– Includes local networks and 200+ channels
Best Bundle Pick
Watch the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble with Hulu + Live TV
– Free trial: 3 days
– Large library of shows, movies, and Hulu Originals
Best BUDGET Pick
Watch the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble with Sling TV
– Daily, weekend, and weekly passes
– 30+ channels
Where is the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 taking place?
The 2026 WWE Royal Rumble takes place at a temporary outdoor stadium called Riyadh Season Stadium at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This marks the first time the traditional Royal Rumble has taken place outside of North America in the event’s 39-year history. While WWE held the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia in April 2018, which featured a 50-man Rumble match, the 2026 event marks the first traditional Royal Rumble and the first of WWE’s “Big Five” premium live events to take place in the country. The event also marks the 14th WWE event held in Saudi Arabia as part of the promotion’s 10-year strategic partnership with the Ministry of Sport in support of Saudi Vision 2030, the country’s social and economic reform program.
Who are the participants in the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble?
The Men’s Royal Rumble field includes 21 confirmed entrants as of January 30, with 9 surprise entrants expected to be announced during the event. Confirmed participants include:
- Cody Rhodes
- GUNTHER
- Jey Uso (2025 Royal Rumble winner)
- Rey Mysterio
- Dragon Lee
- Penta
- Roman Reigns
- Solo Sikoa
- Jacob Fatu
- Bron Breakker
- Logan Paul
- Bronson Reed
- Austin Theory
- Je’Von Evans
- Oba Femi
- Randy Orton
- Brock Lesnar
- Damian Priest
- Trick Williams
- Ilja Dragunov
- The Miz
The Women’s Royal Rumble field includes 17 confirmed entrants as of January 30, with 13 surprise entrants expected. Confirmed participants include:
- Rhea Ripley (2023 Royal Rumble winner)
- IYO SKY
- Roxanne Perez
- Liv Morgan
- Raquel Rodriguez
- Lyra Valkyria
- Bayley (2024 Royal Rumble winner)
- Asuka (2018 Royal Rumble winner)
- Jordynne Grace
- Alexa Bliss
- Charlotte Flair (2020 and 2025 Royal Rumble winner)
- Giulia
- Lash Legend
- Nia Jax
- Chelsea Green
- Maxxine Dupri
- Becky Lynch (2019 Royal Rumble winner)
Who is favored to win the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble?
Roman Reigns enters the Men’s Royal Rumble as the betting favorite with odds of +150, according to MyBookie. GUNTHER and Bron Breakker are tied as the second favorites at +200, followed by Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes both at +400. The line has been volatile throughout the week, with Breakker briefly reaching odds-on favorite status at 10-11 before money came in on Reigns, according to William Hill. LA Knight sits at +500, Jacob Fatu at +600, and CM Punk at +800. Oba Femi, Jey Uso, and Seth Rollins all carry +1400 odds despite questions about Rollins’ participation status. Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton both sit at +2200.
On the women’s side, Liv Morgan has emerged as the favorite at -125, representing the first time she’s held that position heading into a Rumble match. Bianca Belair follows closely at +150, while Rhea Ripley sits at +250. Tiffany Stratton carries +500 odds, with Becky Lynch at +600 and Roxanne Perez at +800 rounding out the top tier, according to MyBookie. Charlotte Flair, despite being the only woman to win the Royal Rumble twice (2020 and 2025), sits further down the odds board.
The unpredictability of the Royal Rumble format makes these odds particularly volatile, as surprise entrants historically play a major role in both matches. Past Rumbles have featured shocking returns from legends like Edge in 2020 and AJ Styles’ WWE debut in 2016, moments that completely shifted the trajectory of the matches. With only 21 of 30 men and 17 of 30 women confirmed as of Friday, the remaining slots leave plenty of room for game-changing appearances that could upend the betting markets entirely.
Jenzia Burgos
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