You’re staring at the clock, the wings are ordered, and you’re trying to figure out exactly when to sit down so you don’t miss the walkouts. We’ve all been there. Whether it’s a massive title fight, a monster truck rally, or the return of a legendary wrestling special, "main event" is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but the actual start times are notoriously slippery.
If you’re looking for what time does saturday main event start for this coming Saturday, January 17, 2026, you’ve actually got a few different "main events" happening across the country.
The Big One: Monster Energy Supercross in San Diego
For the gearheads and dirt lovers, the biggest show on two wheels is hitting Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego this Saturday. This is the one most people are frantically Googling.
The main event start time for the 450SX class—the premier category—is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. PT (7:00 p.m. ET).
However, don't just tune in at 4:00 and expect the gate to drop immediately. Opening ceremonies actually kick off at 3:30 p.m. local time. If you want to see the pyrotechnics and the rider introductions, you need to be in front of your TV (or Peacock stream) by then.
Honestly, the "Main Event" in Supercross is a bit of a marathon. You have the 250SX class racing their final before the big boys come out. If you only care about the 450SX finale, you're looking at a gate drop closer to 4:30 p.m. PT.
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Boxing’s Triple Threat: Mexico City and Beyond
Boxing is a different beast. "Main event start times" in boxing are basically an educated guess because they depend entirely on how long the undercard fights last. If every fight on the prelims goes to a 10-round decision, the main event gets pushed back. If there’s a string of first-round KOs, everything moves up.
For Saturday, January 17, 2026, we have a major card in Ciudad de México featuring Gabriel Jimenez vs. Daniel Sanchez.
- Broadcast starts: 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.
- Main event ring walks: Estimated for 12:00 a.m. ET (Midnight).
Over in Flensburg, Germany, Freddy Kiwitt takes on Suleiman Jafaru earlier in the day. Because of the time difference, that main event starts much earlier for US fans—around 1:00 p.m. ET on DAZN.
What About WWE Saturday Night's Main Event?
There’s been a ton of buzz about the NBC/Peacock specials lately. If you are looking for the next WWE Saturday Night's Main Event, it is NOT this Saturday.
That massive show from the Bell Centre in Montreal is actually scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2026.
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- Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT.
- Where to Watch: NBC and Peacock.
Don't get tricked by old social media posts or confusing ticket listings. This Saturday, Jan 17, is the "go-home" weekend before that big Montreal show.
Other "Main Events" This Saturday
If you're in Anaheim, Monster Jam at Angel Stadium is the main attraction. The engines roar for the "Main Event" at 4:30 p.m. local time.
Meanwhile, in Washington D.C., the NBA G-League's Capital City Go-Go have their "Main Event" tip-off at 7:00 p.m. ET at the CareFirst Arena.
Why Do Times Always Change?
Broadcasters love a "window." When a network says the event starts at 7:00 p.m., they usually mean the broadcast starts then. You’re going to get 20 minutes of highlight packages, interviews, and "keys to the victory" before any actual action happens.
For combat sports specifically, the "Main Event" usually starts about 2 to 3 hours after the main card broadcast begins.
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Quick Reference for January 17, 2026:
- Supercross (San Diego): Main events start at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET.
- Boxing (Germany): 1:00 p.m. ET.
- Boxing (Mexico City): Approx. Midnight ET.
- Monster Jam (Anaheim): 4:30 p.m. PT.
- NBA G-League (DC): 7:00 p.m. ET.
Double-check your local listings or streaming app about 30 minutes before the times listed above. Apps like Peacock or DAZN often have a "Live Now" countdown that is more accurate than a printed schedule from a month ago.
If you're heading to the San Diego Supercross in person, remember that doors open at 9:00 a.m. for qualifying. It's a long day, so pace yourself. If you're just watching from the couch, aim for that 7:00 p.m. ET window to catch the start of the night program.
Final tip: check the weather for outdoor stadium events like San Diego or Anaheim. Rain can cause delays in Supercross, though they'll usually race through the mud, which actually makes the "main event" much more unpredictable and slower-paced.
Keep your streaming apps updated and your notifications on. Most sports apps will send a "The Main Event is starting now" alert if you have the event favorited. That's usually the most reliable way to make sure you don't miss the first 30 seconds of a fight or the first turn of a race.