So, you’re looking for the next Canelo fight in Vegas. It’s basically tradition at this point, right? Every May and September, we expect the red-haired king of boxing to take over the Strip, turn the T-Mobile Arena into a sea of Mexican flags, and dominate some poor soul for twelve rounds. But honestly, things look a little weird right now. If you were planning to book a flight to Harry Reid International for the usual Mexican Independence Day festivities in 2026, you might want to hold off on that non-refundable deposit for a second.
Everything changed after last September. If you missed it, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez stepped into Allegiant Stadium in 2025 to face Terence "Bud" Crawford. It was supposed to be the "Fight of the Century," the kind of night that defines a legacy. Instead, for Canelo fans, it was a long, frustrating evening. Crawford didn't just win; he put on a clinic. Moving up two weight classes, Crawford outpointed Canelo to take the undisputed super middleweight throne by unanimous decision.
Since then? Radio silence for a while. Then came the bombshell.
The Riyadh Shift: Is Vegas Losing Its Grip?
For decades, Las Vegas was the undisputed home of big-time boxing. But there’s a new player in town with much deeper pockets. Turki Alalshikh and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority have been aggressively moving the sport’s biggest cards to Riyadh. On January 15, 2026, Alalshikh and Canelo dropped a video together that sent shockwaves through the boxing world.
Canelo isn't fighting in Vegas this September. He’s going to Riyadh.
The fight is scheduled for September 12, 2026, in Saudi Arabia. It’s being billed as "Mexico vs. The World," and it marks the inaugural card for the newly formed "Canelo Promotions." This is a massive deal because it suggests Canelo is taking more control over his business side, but it also means the "Canelo fight in Vegas" tradition is officially on a hiatus.
Does this mean he’s done with Nevada? Probably not. Vegas is still the spiritual home of his career, but the money and the spectacle in the Middle East are just too big to ignore right now. Canelo is 35. He’s got 63 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws. He knows his time at the very top is finite, and he's cashing in while building his own promotional powerhouse.
Who is Canelo actually fighting next?
That’s the million-dollar question—well, probably the fifty-million-dollar question. Even though the September 12 date is locked in for Riyadh, the opponent is still "to be determined." After the Crawford loss, some people thought we’d see an immediate rematch. But "Bud" Crawford actually announced his retirement in December 2025, leaving the super middleweight belts scattered.
Without a Crawford rematch on the table, the 168-pound division is a bit of a shark tank right now. Here are the names currently floating around:
- Christian Mbilli: The Frenchman is a beast. He’s pushing for the vacant WBC super middleweight title and has been very vocal about wanting a crack at the legend.
- Hamzah Sheeraz: A rising star who is looking to make a name for himself by taking down a giant.
- Diego Pacheco: Many see him as the future of the division.
- Chris Eubank Jr.: This would be a massive commercial fight, though maybe less of a competitive challenge than the young lions.
Canelo's team is looking for a "surprise" opponent for the Saudi show. It's kinda funny how the sport works; everyone spent years begging him to fight David Benavidez, but that ship seems to have sailed as Benavidez moved up to light heavyweight to chase bigger fish (and escape the frustration of the Canelo chase).
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What about the May slot in Vegas?
Usually, Canelo fights on Cinco de Mayo weekend. As of early 2026, there is no official announcement for a May fight at the T-Mobile Arena or MGM Grand. After the Crawford loss and subsequent elbow surgery, Canelo took a much-needed break. His last fight before the Crawford defeat was a win over William Scull in Riyadh back in May 2025.
It seems like Canelo is moving away from the "two fights a year in Vegas" schedule that we all got used to. He's picking his spots. He's looking for legacy. And, let's be real, he's looking for the largest possible purses.
Why you should still keep an eye on Allegiant Stadium
If a Canelo fight in Vegas does return in late 2026 or early 2027, it’s likely going back to Allegiant Stadium rather than the smaller arenas. The Crawford fight drew over 70,000 people. That’s a gate that T-Mobile simply can’t match. Vegas proved it can host "stadium boxing" on a massive scale, even if the result wasn't what the pro-Canelo crowd wanted to see.
How to plan if you're a die-hard fan
If you’re determined to see a Canelo fight in Vegas and won’t settle for a trip to Riyadh, you have to play the waiting game. The boxing landscape changes every single weekend. One knockout from a guy like Mbilli or Pacheco could suddenly make a Vegas homecoming the most lucrative option for the spring of 2027.
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If you’re looking for tickets right now, be careful. Sites like Ticketmaster and TicketSmarter currently show "no upcoming events" for Canelo in the U.S. Any site claiming to sell tickets for a "Canelo vs. TBD" fight in Vegas for September 2026 is likely a scam or just a speculative listing.
Actionable Steps for Boxing Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on the next Vegas date, do these three things:
- Monitor "Riyadh Season" announcements: Since they are now partners with Canelo Promotions, the news will break there first, usually via Turki Alalshikh’s social media.
- Watch the 168-lb title vacancies: Since Crawford retired, the belts (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO) are being fought over. Whoever ends up with the gold by mid-2026 becomes the most likely candidate to lure Canelo back to a Vegas ring for a "unification" narrative.
- Check the Allegiant Stadium calendar: Big fights are booked months in advance. If a weekend in May 2027 suddenly opens up with no concerts or Raiders events, that's your "smoke" for the fire.
Canelo is in the twilight of his career, but he’s still the biggest draw in the sport. Vegas feels a little emptier without him this year, but with "Mexico vs. The World" on the horizon, the drama is far from over.