If you were looking for the typical Cinco de Mayo or Mexican Independence Day fireworks in the usual spots, 2025 threw a massive wrench in those plans. People kept asking where is the canelo fight taking place, and for once, the answer wasn't just "The T-Mobile Arena."
It was a year of "firsts" that actually changed the landscape of the sport. First, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez took his talents to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May 2025 to handle business against William Scull. But the real earthquake happened in September.
The Allegiant Stadium Mega-Event
For the longest time, Canelo was the king of the 20,000-seat indoor arenas. But for the massive showdown against Terence "Bud" Crawford on September 13, 2025, boxing finally outgrew the theater. They moved the whole circus to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Honestly, it was a vibe shift.
Instead of the usual tight, sweaty Vegas arena feel, we had over 65,000 people packed into the home of the Raiders. It was the first time a boxing match ever headlined that stadium. Turki Alalshikh and Riyadh Season basically took over the Strip, and surprisingly, the fight streamed on Netflix rather than the traditional PPV platforms we've been forced to use for decades.
🔗 Read more: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
Why Allegiant Stadium mattered
- Capacity: Over 65,000 fans, nearly tripling the size of T-Mobile Arena.
- The Atmosphere: A massive Mexican Independence Day weekend crowd that, frankly, left stunned after what happened in the ring.
- The Tech: State-of-the-art acoustics that made the "Canelo!" chants sound like a literal thunderstorm.
What Happened in the Last Fight?
If you missed it, the result was the shock of the decade. Terence Crawford didn't just win; he put on a masterclass. Jumping up two weight classes, Crawford moved like a ghost. He beat Canelo by a unanimous decision (115-113, 115-113, and 116-112).
The "Death Star" (as locals call Allegiant Stadium) became the graveyard for Canelo’s undisputed super middleweight reign. Since that night, Crawford has famously "mic-dropped" and announced his retirement in December 2025.
So, where does that leave us right now in January 2026?
Where is the Canelo Fight Taking Place Next?
The rumor mill is currently churning at 100mph. Since Canelo lost his belts to a man who then retired, the 168-pound division is a bit of a mess.
💡 You might also like: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
Canelo is currently a "free agent" of sorts in terms of his next destination. After his Saudi debut in 2025 at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, there is heavy talk about him returning to the Kingdom for a redemption fight in May 2026.
However, the "Monster" in the room is David Benavidez.
For years, fans have screamed for this. Benavidez has been campaigning at light heavyweight lately, but the word on the street is that a deal might finally be closing for a 2026 clash. If that happens, you can bet your house it’s going back to Las Vegas, likely returning to Allegiant Stadium because no other venue in the Western Hemisphere is big enough to hold the ego and the gate of that specific matchup.
Current 2026 Potential Venues
- The Venue, Riyadh: The frontrunner for a May "tune-up" or a fight against a mandatory like Diego Pacheco.
- Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas: The only logical choice for a Benavidez or a Bivol rematch.
- Estadio Akron, Guadalajara: There’s always that small, lingering hope Canelo does one more "homecoming" in Mexico before he hangs them up.
The Business Side of the Location
It’s not just about where the ring is. It’s about the money. The 2025 fight at Allegiant Stadium reportedly pulled in over 41 million global viewers on Netflix. That changed the math.
📖 Related: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
Promoters aren't just looking for the city that pays the most in site fees (though Saudi Arabia still wins there); they are looking for the venue that looks best on a global stream. The "Vegas spectacle" still carries a weight that Riyadh hasn't quite captured yet, even with all the money in the world.
What You Should Do Now
If you're planning to travel for the next Canelo fight, don't book your flights just yet. Usually, the "Canelo Calendar" follows two specific dates:
- The weekend of May 5th (Cinco de Mayo).
- The weekend of September 16th (Mexican Independence Day).
Keep an eye on official announcements from Riyadh Season and PBC. If the fight is in Vegas, hotels near the South end of the Strip (Mandalay Bay, Luxor) are your best bet for Allegiant Stadium access. If it’s in Riyadh, you’re looking at a much more curated, luxury experience through the Boulevard City district.
Watch the WBC rankings closely this month. As soon as a mandatory challenger is solidified for the vacant titles Crawford left behind, the venue contract will follow within weeks.