2026 Royal Rumble Start Time Set – WWE has officially locked in the start time for the 2026 Royal Rumble, an event that is already set to make company history. The Premium Live Event will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first time the Royal Rumble has ever been held outside of North America. After internal discussions, WWE has now confirmed that the show will begin at 2 PM Eastern Time.

The decision reportedly came after what was described as internal back and forth within WWE regarding the ideal start time. With the Royal Rumble being one of the company’s most important annual events, the timing needed to balance the live audience in Saudi Arabia with WWE’s global fanbase, particularly viewers in North America. Ultimately, the earlier start time was selected to ensure the event airs live worldwide without pushing too far into the night locally.

For fans in the United States and Canada, the 2 PM ET start represents a significant change from the traditional evening schedule associated with major WWE events. Viewers will need to adjust their plans, but the early kickoff reflects WWE’s continued focus on expanding its international Premium Live Event calendar. Hosting the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia is a major step in that strategy and highlights the importance WWE places on the global market.

As previously reported, WWE is currently planning a streamlined card for the 2026 Royal Rumble. The tentative lineup includes just four matches, consisting of the men’s Royal Rumble match, the women’s Royal Rumble match, and two championship bouts. Those title matches have not yet been finalized. While the card is smaller than usual, the Royal Rumble matches themselves traditionally run long and serve as the centerpiece of the event.

Despite the limited number of matches, WWE is relying on the scale of the event, the international setting, and the prestige of the Royal Rumble name to deliver a major spectacle. With a historic location and a confirmed start time now in place, attention will continue to shift toward match announcements and the road to WrestleMania that follows.

2026 Royal Rumble Start Time Set

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