WWE Crown Jewel 2026 Event Status Update – U.S. Embassy In Riyadh Issues Another New Security Alert

WWE is still currently scheduled to be holding their Crown Jewel 2026 event on November 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This upcoming event’s status in Saudi Arabia had been uncertain following the United States Department issuing an official update this past September to their existing Level 3 travel advisory in regards to Saudi Arabia over the on-going Iran War. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh had issued a new security alert earlier this month warning their citizens in the country following missile attacks from the Houthis on the King Khalid International airport in Riyadh that left several dead. The U.S. State Department had issued an order this past Tuesday requiring all non-essential diplomatic personnel and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia immediately due to the growing violate situation. WWE currently has backup plans in place to hold the event in the United States if they are unable to do so in Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh issued a new security alert on Friday continuing to warn U.S. citizens to take extreme caution in regards to travel to Saudi Arabia and areas to avoid if possible due to the threats of increased potential attacks from Iran and the Iranian-backed Houthis.

The Travel Advisory for Saudi Arabia was updated on October 23, 2026, to reflect the threat of increased Iranian- supported Houthi regional aggression. The Travel Advisory reads:

There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect an increase in potential armed attacks by the Iranian-supported Houthis and Iranian efforts to target U.S. government officials in the region.

Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to risk of drone and missile targeting of American interests by Iran and the Iranian-supported Houthis, armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social media activity. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to the Yemen border region due to terrorism.

Advisory summary

On October 23, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety risks.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions
* U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization to use any airport in Saudi Arabia.
* U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border due to safety risks.
* U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia need special authorization to travel to:
* The cities of Qatif, Taif and Yanbu.
* The provinces of Jizan, Asir, and Najran.
* Additional staffing posture adjustments may be imposed on U.S. personnel under Chief of Mission security responsibility due to evolving security issues.

Armed conflict

Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Saudi Arabia. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism  to learn more.

Terrorism is a concern in Saudi Arabia. Attacks can occur with little or no warning, especially around holidays. They can involve knives, firearms, and vehicles.

Terrorists may use violence to respond to direct attacks against them or other military operations in the region.

Potential targets include:
* Important political, cultural, or religious sites
* Places visited by U.S. citizens and other foreigners
* Tourist locations and large gatherings
* Hotels and locations where U.S. citizens gather
* Transportation hubs
* Markets and shopping malls
* Entertainment venues
* Government facilities

Missile and drone attacks from Iran and threats from Houthis in Yemen

Iran and Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched missile and drone attacks into Saudi Arabia.
* Attacks have impacted cities, infrastructure, airports, military bases, diplomatic, and energy facilities throughout the country.
* Iran-backed Houthi rebels have threatened to attack Saudi Arabia again.
* Falling debris from intercepted drones and missiles are also a risk.
* U.S. citizens living and working near energy infrastructure and military bases may be at increased risk, especially closer to the border with Yemen.
* Do not photograph, film, or share information about missile or drone interceptions or impact sites. Saudi authorities have detained U.S. citizens for taking photos of recent events.

Exit bans

The Government of Saudi Arabia has imposed exit bans on some U.S. citizens that prevent them from leaving. These can last many years.
* Exit bans may be related to pending criminal and civil investigations and cases, including, but not limited to unpaid visa overstay fees, domestic family disputes, and other financial and labor disagreements.
* In some cases, exit bans can continue even after a criminal sentence has been fully served or a private suit is settled.

Arbitrary Enforcement of Local laws

* You are subject to Saudi Arabia’s local laws when traveling in the country. The U.S. government cannot guarantee your release if you are detained or arrested abroad.
* If you break laws in Saudi Arabia – even by mistake – you could be deported, fined, imprisoned, or subject to an exit ban.
* Some U.S. citizens have been detained for several months or even years without charges.
* Saudi authorities may detain you if they consider your social media posts or other online activity to be critical, offensive, or disruptive to the public order.
* Some U.S. citizens have been arrested for past social media activity, including comments posted while outside of Saudi Arabia. This may include posting, re-posting, or liking comments critical of the Saudi government or its leaders and policies. This also may apply to comments about public life or religion in Saudi Arabia.
* Local laws against cybercrime and terrorism may be used to prosecute cases related to social media use.
* Punishment for social media activity has included prison sentences of up to 45 years. Local authorities may not consider when, where, or in what context posts are made.

The New York Times reported that a new memo was issued by Jay Clayton, Director of National Intelligence, informing Secretary of State Marco Rubio that intelligence agencies have “received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel. The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries.”