Mark Shapiro on TKO Fully Anticipates WWE And UFC Events In Middle East Will Proceed As Planned & Chances Of WWE WrestleMania 43 Moving From Saudi Arabia

TKO Group held an investor’s meeting on Wednesday discussing the results from their fiscal 2026 third quarter report.

During the Q&A portion of the meeting, TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro gave his thoughts about the company currently fully anticipates that WWE and UFC’s upcoming events in the Middle East will proceed as planned despite the ongoing volatile situation in Saudi Arabia over the conflict with the Houthis and the United States’ war with Iran.

“On the Middle East, while we continue to monitor the situation closely, as of today, we fully anticipate our remaining events will proceed as planned. WWE Crown Jewel returns to Riyadh this weekend, and UFC Fight Night comes to Doha on November 21st, and Riyadh in early December.”

Shapiro also gave his thoughts about the risk of WWE’s WrestleMania 43 event in Saudi Arabia being canceled or moved over similar safety-related issues.

“I would tell you that the risk is extremely minimal. I think we’ve endured the tough climb thus far this year. We’ve had no events interrupted. We’ve staged all of our events in the Middle East flawlessly. We have three events left this year. One being November 7th with Crown Jewel which should be a big one for us. We are all systems go, and I would just say further, Vice President comes out today and says it’s very clear voters have spoken, and they’ve obviously spoken with their votes, and we need to get this conflict in Iran wrapped up. So, just a week ago, you’re talking about dropping more bombs, and now they’re talking about wrapping up. Who knows what’s real and what’s true, or just proceeding forward with our partners as if these events will go off without a hitch, and I would just add for those of you that are concerned about if this extends further, does this put WrestleMania which is in Saudi next year at risk, I would just tell you it’s at no more risk than it ever was, given that the world is an unpredictable place. But we have already been paid half upfront and received the funds from our partners in Saudi, and if and when our event ever had to be moved because it would never be cancelled, we will certainly and definitely see payment on the other half so come rain or shine, we’re getting the other half payment. So we’re sitting in a good place, and as far as contingency goes, it’s a long list of cities, primarily in the U.S., that we would move a WrestleMania to. Of course you wouldn’t get the F.I.P. because it would be last minute. But nonetheless, we’d get the sell-out. So we have cities lining up kind of raising their hands, standing willing, ready, and waiting, and we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it but frankly, we’re not concerned.”

During his portion of the Q&A, TKO CFO Andrew Schleimer provided additional details regarding TKO and WWE’s deal with the Saudi Arabian government for WrestleMania 43.

“There are no KPIs in the agreement on visitation. Our partners in Saudi do retain the box office. That does not ignore our benefit, unlike some of the other models we’re seeing now that the FIP effort has been developed more as we go to market. We get paid. We’ve received half our fee already. Despite where folks come from or what that sellout looks like in terms of demos, we’re getting paid. On the partnership side, this is an event that was legislated in our deal with ESPN that will be US prime for a WrestleMania PLE. In terms of the media value, we are very excited that we will be able to sell through to our existing partners that will get exposure as if this were a regular PLE. It may start just a bit earlier than some PLEs, but no issue on the partnership side. We will be working closely with our partners on selling local partnerships and sharing revenue with them, but otherwise, nothing to be concerned about there,” he said.

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com 1, 2, & 3