TKO Chief Operating Officer and President Mark Shapiro announced yesterday that their partners in Saudi Arabia will not be withdrawing their funding like they did with LIV Golf.
“Their commitment to our properties in 2026 and beyond is unwavering. As such, after these two events, we expect the remainder of our 2026 slate in the Middle East comprised of six events inclusive of UFC, WWE and Zuffa Boxing to take place as planned,” Shapiro told investors during the conference call.
“The demand is real, our partners are committed and we are leaning in. TKO benefits from having defensive model business characteristics,” he added.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund was financing LIV Golf but it recently announced that it will be ending its funding after the 2026 season.
WWE has greatly benefited from Saudi Arabia, doing $50 million per show it produces in the Kingdom, and was paid way more for the Royal Rumble. The fee TKO will get from holding WrestleMania there next year will surpass any amount imaginable for a single event in the history of the company.
