You’ve got your snacks ready. The wings are ordered. You're probably already debating with your friends about which "legend" is going to make a surprise return at number 30. But here is the thing: if you show up to your couch at the usual time, you are going to miss the entire show.
Honestly, it’s a mess for anyone living in North America this year.
The 2026 Royal Rumble is a massive historical pivot for WWE. For the first time in nearly 40 years, the company is taking one of its "Big Five" events outside of North America. They’ve headed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Because of that massive time difference, the answer to what time does the Royal Rumble start today is much earlier than you think.
The Royal Rumble Start Time You Actually Need
If you are in the United States, put down the evening plans. This is a daytime event.
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The main card is scheduled to kick off at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Wait. Why is it 2:00 PM?
Basically, Riyadh is 8 hours ahead of New York. A 10:00 PM local start in Saudi Arabia—which is when the pyro usually hits—means East Coasters are watching during a late lunch. If you're on the West Coast, you’re basically watching the Royal Rumble with your morning coffee.
Global Kickoff Times
- New York (ET): 2:00 PM
- Chicago (CT): 1:00 PM
- Los Angeles (PT): 11:00 AM
- London (GMT): 7:00 PM
- Riyadh (Local): 10:00 PM
Don't forget the kickoff show. WWE almost always runs a one-hour pre-show with panel discussions and maybe one "preshow" match that nobody asked for but everyone watches anyway. That starts at 1:00 PM ET. If you want to see the video packages and the "expert" predictions from the talking heads, that's your window.
Where to Stream the Rumble in 2026
The streaming landscape changed a lot lately. If you're in the US, Peacock is still the exclusive home for the live broadcast. Even though Netflix took over Monday Night Raw and a huge chunk of the archival library earlier this month, the big PLE (Premium Live Events) like the Rumble and WrestleMania 42 are staying on Peacock for now.
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International fans? That's a different story.
Most fans outside the US are now finding their live WWE content on Netflix. It’s a bit of a fragmented experience depending on where you live, so double-check your app before the first buzzer sounds.
What’s Actually Happening at the KAFD?
The event is being held at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh. It’s part of "Riyadh Season," which is basically a giant, state-funded festival of everything.
The stadium situation has been... interesting. You might have seen some of the "leaked" videos on social media showing the venue under construction just weeks ago. People were panicked. Honestly, this happens every time WWE goes to Saudi Arabia. The construction looks like a disaster until about 48 hours before the show, and then suddenly, it’s the most high-tech stage you’ve ever seen. PWInsider reported earlier this week that everything is on track, so don't believe the "delay" rumors floating around on X.
The Match Card (What We Know)
The big draw is obviously the two 30-person over-the-top-rope matches.
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- The Men’s Royal Rumble: 30 guys. One winner. A ticket to the main event of WrestleMania 42.
- The Women’s Royal Rumble: Same deal, 30 women fighting for a title shot.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Drew McIntyre (the current champ) is set to defend against the winner of the #1 Contender's Tournament. Tonight’s SmackDown in London (at the OVO Arena Wembley) is actually the final qualifier for that.
There are rumors about big returns. Randy Orton and Brock Lesnar have both been spotted on internal lists for the Riyadh trip. Whether they are in the match or just "around" remains to be seen. Also, keep an eye on Tiffany Stratton. Fans are high on her right now, and the Rumble is usually where they pull the trigger on a new star.
Why This Timing Matters for Your Betting and Parties
Watching the Rumble in the middle of a Saturday afternoon feels weird. It’s not the "Saturday Night Main Event" vibe we grew up with. But for the serious fans, it’s actually kinda nice. You get the show done by 5:30 or 6:00 PM ET, and you still have your whole Saturday night to argue about the result.
If you're hosting a party, you’re looking at a "Royal Rumble Brunch." Swap the beer for mimosas? Maybe. Or just lean into the afternoon chaos.
Critical Next Steps for Fans
- Check your Peacock Subscription: Do it now. Don't be the person trying to reset their password at 2:05 PM while the number one entrant is already walking down the ramp.
- Avoid Social Media if You're Late: Because this is an international show, the "spoilers" will be everywhere. If you can't watch live at 2:00 PM ET, mute your notifications.
- Watch SmackDown Tonight: Tonight's show (Jan 16) is a "Road to Royal Rumble" special. It’ll finalize a lot of the names for the 30-man matches.
The 2026 Royal Rumble is going to be a weird, loud, afternoon spectacle. Get your schedule sorted now so you don't get tossed over the top rope by a time zone mistake.