Crown Jewel 2026 Taking Place In Saudi Arabia 'A Big Topic Of Conversation' Within WWE After New Security Alert Issued

Whether or not WWE will hold Crown Jewel 2026 in Saudi Arabia was reportedly a "big topic of conversation" within the company on Thursday afternoon, according to Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer.

This comes amidst the US embassy in Saudi Arabia issuing a security alert for Americans in the Middle East to "exercise heightened vigilance" and be aware of "potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions" due to ongoing hostilities in the region.

Airstrikes have been carried out against Saudi Arabia this week, with Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation announcing that strikes on Riyadh airport resulted in one death and eight people being wounded. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have taken credit for the attacks.

The Iran-backed Houthis have carried out strikes against Saudi Arabia due to the Saudi backing of the UN-recognised Yemeni government in the Yemen Civil War. The civil war had been largely dormant in recent years until Saudi Arabia resumed bombing against Yemen in July 2026, with the Houthis subsequently launching a new offensive, with the renewed conflict taking place amidst the US-Iran war in the region that began in February.

WWE Crown Jewel is currently scheduled to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, November 7, although the status of the event has been discussed within WWE over the past month. The current travel advisory for Saudi Arabia issued by the United States Department of State recommends US citizens reconsider travel to the country.

Should the event be moved from Saudi Arabia, the expectation is Crown Jewel would still take place on November 7 due to WWE committing to that date with ESPN.

WWE have held a number of events in Saudi Arabia since 2018 as part of a working relationship with the Saudi Arabia General Entertainment Authority headed by Turki Alalshikh. Events are worth approximately $55 million to WWE, although 2027's WrestleMania 43, which is currently scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, will reportedly see WWE pocket over $100 million.