If you’re planning to watch the biggest spectacle in sports entertainment, you probably think you’ve got the schedule down. But here’s the thing—WrestleMania 41 isn't following the "standard" routine we saw for years. Moving the show to Las Vegas changed the math for everyone.
The wrestlemania 2025 start time is officially 7:00 PM ET for the main card on both Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20.
Wait.
If you are actually in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium, that’s 4:00 PM local time. It's a "day game" feel for a show that usually thrives in the dark. That shifts the whole vibe. You've got the desert sun beating down on the stadium (though it’s a dome, the tailgate scene is a different beast) while fans on the East Coast are just sitting down for dinner.
Why the wrestlemania 2025 start time matters for your weekend
Look, nobody wants to miss the opening pyro because they were stuck in a Taco Bell drive-thru.
WWE has settled into a very specific rhythm for these two-night events. Each night technically begins much earlier than the main broadcast. If you care about the panel discussions, the video packages that make you cry, and the "guest experts" who barely know the wrestlers' names, you need to be tuned in by 4:00 PM ET. That is when the Kickoff show starts.
Three hours of pre-show. It’s a lot.
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Honestly, most people skip the first two hours and jump in for the final hour when the arena starts to fill up. But if you're a die-hard, that 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT window is your true starting line.
The Netflix and Peacock Factor
This year is a bit of a transition period for streaming. If you are in the United States, your home for the wrestlemania 2025 start time is still Peacock. However, for the international crowd, the game has changed. WWE’s massive deal with Netflix kicked in at the start of 2025.
For fans in the UK, the "midnight start" is back.
Since the main show starts at 7:00 PM ET, London fans are looking at a 12:00 AM BST start. It’s a long night. You're basically looking at 4:00 AM or 5:00 AM finishes. If you have work on Monday morning after Night 2, maybe start brewing that extra-strong coffee now.
Global Start Times (The Quick Cheat Sheet)
- Las Vegas (Local): 4:00 PM PT
- New York/Miami: 7:00 PM ET
- London: 12:00 AM BST (Next Day)
- New Delhi: 4:30 AM IST (Next Day)
- Sydney: 9:00 AM AEDT (Next Day)
The John Cena retirement tour chaos
Why is everyone so stressed about being on time this year? One word: Cena.
John Cena has made it clear that 2025 is his final year. He’s not doing a "one and done" match; he’s doing a full tour. But WrestleMania 41 is the crown jewel of that farewell. Rumors are flying about him facing Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
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If that match opens the show—which WWE sometimes does to "shock" the crowd—and you’re ten minutes late because you were looking for your remote, you’ll never forgive yourself.
WWE likes to put a massive match at the very top of the 7:00 PM ET hour. They want to hook the audience immediately. Last year we saw huge tag matches and high-flyers in the opening slot. This year, with the Vegas energy, expect Triple H to "fire the house" early.
Vegas is a different beast for fans
Attending in person? Allegiant Stadium is a hike from the main Strip if you aren't prepared.
If the wrestlemania 2025 start time is 4:00 PM local, you need to be at the gates by 2:00 PM. Security at the "Death Star" (as locals call the stadium) is notoriously thorough. Plus, WWE World—the fan convention—is happening at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
You cannot do both effectively in the same hour.
Most fans think they can hit the convention at 1:00 PM and make the show by 4:00 PM. You won't. The traffic on the Strip during a WrestleMania weekend is a nightmare. It’s basically a standstill. Basically, pick one or the other, or leave the convention by noon.
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What to do if you're watching from home
If you’re hosting a watch party, the 7:00 PM ET start is actually a blessing. It means the show likely wraps up by 11:30 PM or midnight.
- Check your Peacock login: Don't be that person resetting their password at 6:59 PM.
- Sync your devices: If you’re on a group chat, someone always has a 30-second delay. It ruins the surprises.
- The "Easter" overlap: Remember, WrestleMania 41 falls on Easter weekend.
This is the first time WrestleMania has landed on Easter Sunday. That might affect your Sunday travel or family dinners. If you have a traditional dinner, you’re going to be checking your phone under the table right when the main event starts. Plan the ham for 4:00 PM so you’re clear by 7:00!
The bottom line on the 2025 schedule
WrestleMania is no longer just a wrestling show; it’s a cultural "where were you" moment. With Las Vegas as the backdrop and the Netflix era beginning globally, the timing is tighter than ever.
Don't trust the old "8:00 PM start" logic. That’s gone.
The move to 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT) is the new standard. It gives the performers more time and the fans a slightly earlier bedtime—well, except for the folks in Vegas who will be hitting the casinos until dawn.
Next Steps for the Big Weekend:
- Verify your timezone: Double-check if your region has daylight savings shifts that week.
- Update your streaming app: Ensure Peacock or Netflix is updated on your smart TV to avoid "reboot loops" during the opening.
- Plan your "Night 2" recovery: If you’re watching both nights, Monday is going to be rough. Schedule that "sick day" or "work from home" day now.
The wrestlemania 2025 start time is your gateway to seeing if Cody Rhodes can keep the throne or if John Cena's final stand ends in a 17th world title. Be ready when the bell rings.