If you’re still calling them "Pay-Per-Views," you aren't alone. Most of us who grew up during the Attitude Era or the Ruthless Aggression years have that term hard-coded into our brains. But these days, WWE officially calls them Premium Live Events (PLEs), and the way we watch them is currently undergoing the biggest shake-up in thirty years.
Honestly, keeping track of where and when to watch is getting kinda tricky. We just moved past the era where everything was on Peacock in the U.S., and now, as we move through 2026, the WWE list of PPV events is split across different platforms. If you're looking for the big stadium shows, you're likely heading to the ESPN app. If you want the classic library or international streams, Netflix is the new home.
It’s a lot. But don't worry. Whether you’re trying to plan a trip to Las Vegas for WrestleMania 42 or just trying to figure out which Saturday night you need to clear for a "Saturday Night's Main Event" special, I've got the full breakdown of what the 2026 schedule looks like right now.
The 2026 WWE List of PPV and Premium Live Events
The schedule is built around the "Big Four"—Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series—but WWE has been filling the gaps with international "B-shows" that feel anything but secondary. Here is the current lineup of major events confirmed or traditionally expected for this year.
January: The Road Begins
The year kicked off with a massive transition. On January 24, 2026, we saw Saturday Night’s Main Event take over the Bell Centre in Montreal. This wasn't a traditional PPV but a high-level special that streamed on Peacock (and Netflix for those outside the States).
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Then comes the big one. Royal Rumble 2026 is set for January 31. This year, the Rumble is heading to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It’s a huge move that shows just how much the partnership with the Kingdom has grown. Watching thirty men and thirty women toss each other over the top rope is still the best way to start the year, period.
February: Into the Chamber
Elimination Chamber 2026 lands on February 28. The venue? The United Center in Chicago. Chicago crowds are notoriously loud, and putting the Chamber there is basically a guarantee for a hot atmosphere. This is the last major stop before the "Show of Shows."
April: The Granddaddy of Them All
WrestleMania 42 is a two-night monster on April 18 and 19, 2026. We’re heading to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. If you’ve never been to a Vegas 'Mania, it’s absolute chaos in the best way possible. Expect the usual spectacle, celebrity cameos, and hopefully, some storylines that actually pay off after months of buildup.
The Summer and Beyond
While WWE hasn't dropped every single date for the back half of the year, the patterns are clear:
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- Backlash 2026: Traditionally follows WrestleMania. There are strong rumors of another international location, possibly Italy, following the success of France and Puerto Rico in previous years.
- Money in the Bank: Usually hits in early July. This has essentially become the fifth "Big" show.
- SummerSlam 2026: Confirmed for August 1 and 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Like WrestleMania, this is now a two-night stadium event.
- Survivor Series: WarGames: Expect this in late November. It has found a new identity with the WarGames cage matches, which honestly saved the brand from feeling stale.
Why the Term "PPV" is Basically Dead
The transition from "Pay-Per-View" to "Premium Live Event" wasn't just corporate jargon. It was a fundamental shift in the business model. Back in the day, you’d call your cable provider and drop $50 to $60 on a single night of wrestling. If the show sucked, you were out sixty bucks.
Now, in 2026, the WWE list of PPV events is accessible via subscription. In the United States, most major PLEs like WrestleMania and Royal Rumble have moved to ESPN+ and the ESPN app. This happened as the Peacock deal started to wind down and WWE looked for even more reach.
However, Netflix is the real wild card. Internationally, Netflix is the "one-stop shop" for everything—Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and all PLEs. In the U.S., Netflix currently handles Monday Night Raw and a growing library of classic content. It’s a bit of a fragmented landscape, but it’s still significantly cheaper than the old-school PPV days.
The Impact of International PLEs
If you look at the WWE list of PPV shows over the last two years, you’ll notice a lot of 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM start times for fans in America. Nick Khan and Triple H have leaned heavily into the "international host" model.
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Why? Because cities are now paying WWE to bring these shows to town. It’s like the Olympics or the Super Bowl on a smaller, monthly scale. Whether it’s Clash at the Castle in the UK or Bash in Berlin, these crowds are usually three times louder than the typical U.S. audience. It makes for a better TV product, even if it means you have to watch wrestling over lunch on a Saturday.
Watching the 2026 Events: A Practical Guide
Since the move to ESPN and Netflix, things are different. Here is the "Where to Watch" cheat sheet for 2026:
- The Big PLEs (Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, etc.): In the U.S., check the ESPN App. You’ll likely need an ESPN+ subscription or a specific login depending on the tiered rollout of their new direct-to-consumer service.
- Weekly Shows: Monday Night Raw is exclusively on Netflix. SmackDown is on USA Network, and NXT is on The CW.
- The Vault: If you want to see the 1997 Survivor Series or WrestleMania X7, most of that library has migrated to Netflix as part of their massive 10-year deal.
- International Fans: If you are outside the U.S., Netflix is generally your home for everything. No more switching apps between Raw and a PLE.
What Most Fans Get Wrong About the Schedule
A common misconception is that "Saturday Night's Main Event" is just a house show. It isn't. WWE is treating these as "mini-PLEs." They are canon, storylines move forward, and titles can change hands. If you see it on the WWE list of PPV calendars, don't skip it just because it isn't called SummerSlam.
Another thing to watch for is the "two-night" trend. WrestleMania started it, but now SummerSlam has followed suit. There is talk in the industry that the Royal Rumble might eventually become a two-night affair as well, though 2026 remains a single-night event for now.
Actionable Steps for the 2026 Season
If you're planning on following the product this year, do these three things to stay ahead:
- Audit your subscriptions. If you're still paying for Peacock just for WWE, check if the specific events you want have moved to ESPN+. Don't waste money on a "dead" subscription.
- Watch the international start times. Don't get spoiled on Twitter because you assumed the Saudi Arabia show started at 8:00 PM ET. It usually starts at noon.
- Get the Netflix App ready. Since Raw is now a streaming-first show, you can't rely on your old DVR. You'll need to get used to the Netflix interface for live sports, which includes the ability to "start from beginning" if you're late to the broadcast.
The 2026 calendar is shaping up to be one of the most unique in the company's history. With the move to Netflix and the expansion of the stadium show model, the days of the "small" monthly PPV are officially behind us. Every time the red light goes on now, it feels like a major event.