WWE Crown Jewel 2026 Event Status Update – U.S. State Department Orders Nonessential Embassy Staff To Evacuate From Saudi Arabia

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 of State issuing an official update this past September to their existing Level 3 travel advisory in regards to Saudi Arabia in regards to 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 on the King Khalid International airport in Riyadh that left several dead and the escalated violence between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. 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. State Department issued an order earlier today requiring all nonessential diplomatic personnel and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia immediately.

In the order, it was stated that there are concerns that the current hostilities between the Saudis and Houthis have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond the recent airport attacks.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott clarified a recent report from Reuters stating that the order only covers Saudi Arabia and not the other U.S. embassies in the Persian Gulf region.

“This is inaccurate. The U.S. Department of State issued an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only.

Iranian-supported Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions.

The safety and security of Department personnel and their families remain our highest priority, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to protect and support them.”

This is inaccurate. The U.S. Department of State issued an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only. Iranian-supported Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. The safety and security of Department personnel and their families remain our highest priority, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to protect and support them.

— Tommy Pigott (@statedeptspox) October 21, 2026

The U.S. embassy in Riyadh also issued a new security alert earlier today in response to the U.S. State Department’s order.

Security Alert: U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia (October 21, 2026)

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.

U.S. citizens are reminded to follow the guidance of national alerts released by Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense via cellular broadcast.

U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization from Chief of Mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia following recent missile and UAV attacks on airports in the Kingdom.
Operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh remain suspended. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam are operational with some delays and cancellations.

U.S. citizens should be aware of potential attacks on airports, airspace closures, flight cancellations, and travel disruptions. Please take extreme caution if you choose to use airports in Saudi Arabia. We recommend checking your flight departure status directly with the airline and with the airport.