WWE Royal Rumble 2026: Attendance, Commentary Team & ESPN Coverage

With the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 just hours away, new details have emerged about what fans can expect from today’s massive Premium Live Event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—including attendance expectations, commentary plans, and crossover promotion with ESPN.

According to PWinsider, WWE is expecting over 25,000 fans to pack the King Abdullah Financial District for this year’s Rumble. The show will once again showcase WWE’s global reach, taking one of its most iconic events to a massive international audience.

Michael Cole and Wade Barrett are confirmed as the commentary team for tonight’s show. The two veterans will be calling all the action, including the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches, AJ Styles’ possible farewell, and Drew McIntyre’s title defense against Sami Zayn.

To promote the event to a broader audience, ESPN’s SportsCenter ran a feature this morning highlighting WWE’s greatest finishers of all time—including Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Stunner, Kurt Angle’s Ankle Lock, and Randy Orton’s RKO. The segment was part of ESPN’s Royal Rumble push, which also featured Cole and Barrett previewing the full card from on-site in Riyadh.

Where to Watch WWE Royal Rumble 2026

• 📍 Live from the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• ⏰ Pre-Show: 12 PM ET
• ⏰ Main Show: 2 PM ET
• 📺 Streaming: ESPN app (U.S.) and Netflix (International)

Confirmed Matches for WWE Royal Rumble 2026

• Men’s Royal Rumble Match
• Women’s Royal Rumble Match
• AJ Styles vs. GUNTHER – Styles’ career on the line
• WWE Undisputed Championship – Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sami Zayn

With a stacked card, heavy ESPN promotion, and 25,000 fans expected in the building, WWE is pulling out all the stops for what promises to be a blockbuster start to the Road to WrestleMania 42.

Be sure to tune in live and follow along with Ringside News for full play-by-play coverage over in our Royal Rumble coverage hub.

Which match are you most excited for—and who do you think will surprise us tonight in Riyadh? Drop your picks and predictions in the comments.