If you’re a WWE fan, you’ve probably spent the last thirty years or so knowing exactly how your January Saturday nights look. You order some wings, clear the schedule for 8 p.m. ET, and wait for that first buzzer.
But for 2026? Throw the old playbook out the window.
The question of what time is Royal Rumble has a very different answer this year because WWE is taking one of its "Big Five" events outside of North America for the first time in history. We’re heading to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Because of the massive time difference, your viewing schedule is getting a serious midday makeover.
The Official Start Time for Royal Rumble 2026
Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Because Riyadh is several hours ahead of the United States, the show is going to air in the middle of the afternoon for American fans. According to official WWE listings and broadcast partners like ESPN, the main card is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT.
If you’re in the UK, you’re looking at a 7:00 p.m. GMT start, which is actually a pretty sweet deal for fans across the pond who are used to staying up until 5 a.m. to see who wins the 30-man match.
Global Kickoff Times
- Eastern Time (US): 2:00 p.m.
- Pacific Time (US): 11:00 a.m.
- London (GMT): 7:00 p.m.
- Riyadh (Local): 10:00 p.m.
- Sydney (AEST): 6:00 a.m. (Sunday, Feb 1)
Basically, if you’re in the States, you’re watching wrestling with lunch instead of dinner. Honestly, it’s a bit of a vibe shift, but it beats having the winner crowned at midnight when you have to work the next morning.
Where to Stream the Rumble This Year
There’s another big change you need to know about. For years, Peacock was the undisputed home of WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs) in the U.S. However, as of 2026, the landscape has shifted.
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The what time is Royal Rumble query usually leads to "where can I watch it," and the answer is now the ESPN app for fans in the United States. This is a massive part of WWE's new domestic rights strategy. If you’re outside the U.S., most markets have transitioned to Netflix, which became the global home for WWE content starting in 2025.
Make sure your subscriptions are active a few days early. There is nothing worse than trying to reset a password while the No. 2 entrant's music is already hitting.
Why Riyadh Is a Massive Deal for the Rumble
Taking the Royal Rumble to the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) isn't just a random choice. It’s part of the massive "Riyadh Season" festival. WWE has been doing shows in Saudi Arabia for years—think Crown Jewel or Night of Champions—but the Rumble is different.
This is the start of the Road to WrestleMania 42.
The stakes feel higher because the winner of the men's and women's Rumble matches literally punches their ticket to the main event of the biggest show of the year. Historically, WWE kept these legacy shows in North American stadiums. By moving it to Riyadh, they are signaling that the international market is just as vital as the domestic one.
The Match Card and What We Know
We already have some heavy hitters confirmed. Cody Rhodes, who has been the face of the company for the last couple of years, was the first entrant officially announced for the men's match.
But the Undisputed WWE Championship is also on the line. Drew McIntyre is currently sitting on the throne after a brutal "Three Stages of Hell" match against Cody back in early January. To see who challenges Drew in Riyadh, WWE set up a mini-tournament on SmackDown featuring Randy Orton, The Miz, Damian Priest, and Solo Sikoa.
The winner of that mess heads to the Rumble. It's a lot of moving parts.
Key Matches to Watch:
- 30-Man Royal Rumble Match: Winner gets a title shot at WrestleMania 42.
- 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match: Winner picks their champion for the Grandest Stage of Them All.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Drew McIntyre defending against the winner of the Saturday Night's Main Event tournament.
Surviving a Midday Premium Live Event
Watching a PLE at 2 p.m. requires a different strategy. You can't exactly do a traditional "watch party" with a full bar and a late-night bonfire.
Most fans are pivoting to "Rumble Brunches." Think breakfast burritos and coffee while watching 300-pound men throw each other over the top rope. If you have kids, this is actually way better than the 11 p.m. finishes of the past. You can actually finish the show and still have time to go to the grocery store or hit the gym before the sun goes down.
If you absolutely cannot watch live at 2 p.m. ET, stay off social media. X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram will be a minefield of spoilers the second someone makes a surprise return at entrant No. 21.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
To make sure you don't miss a single second of the action on January 31, here is exactly what you need to do right now:
- Check your ESPN+ or Netflix login: Since this is the first Rumble on these specific platforms for many, log in today to ensure your payment method is current.
- Sync your clock to 2 p.m. ET: If you’re on the West Coast, remember that 11 a.m. comes fast. Set an alarm for 10:30 a.m. so you can get the stream buffered and ready.
- Avoid the "Kickoff Show" trap: The Kickoff show usually starts one hour before the main card (1 p.m. ET). While it's mostly talking heads, they occasionally slide a smaller match in there, so tune in early if you want the full experience.
- Plan for a 4-hour window: Royal Rumbles are long. Between the two 30-person matches and the title bouts, don't expect to be "done" with the TV until at least 6 p.m. ET.
The 2026 Royal Rumble is shaping up to be a historic, if slightly unusual, afternoon of wrestling. Whether you're rooting for a Cody Rhodes repeat or a surprise return from an injured star, just make sure you're tuned in at the right time.