WWE Perth Extension
WWE and Western Australia Announce Three-Year Deal to Host Major Events in Perth Through 2028
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Key Points
1
Wrestlepalooza 2025, headlined by John Cena and Brock Lesnar, marked the blockbuster first edition of the event and helped launch WWE's ongoing partnership with ESPN.
2
Western Australia’s WWE footprint has delivered measurable economic and tourism impact, with 2024 Elimination Chamber: Perth drawing more than 18,000 out-of-state visitors and 2025 Crown Jewel: Perth drawing more than 12,500 out-of-state attendees, contributing to a total economy impact exceeding AUD 58 million.
3
Wrestlepalooza’s distribution through ESPN continues to expand, with Wrestlepalooza becoming the first main roster event livestreamed on ESPN Unlimited, signaling a deepening WWE-ESPN distribution partnership.
4
The Perth WWE return is scheduled to align with other major events, including a December 9 start of the Australia–New Zealand Test at Optus Stadium, illustrating how WWE events are coordinated with a broader summer sports landscape in the city.
5
John Cena's remarks on the Perth crowd underscore the unique fan energy in the city, with Cena describing the atmosphere as something he had never seen before, reflecting strong local engagement with WWE events.
WWE has locked in a three-year deal with Western Australia to bring annual wrestling events to Perth through 2028, Wrestling Inc reported. Starting in December 2026, the RAC Arena will host SmackDown, Wrestlepalooza: Perth, and Raw each year. The first event kicks off December 11, 2026, with SmackDown, followed by Wrestlepalooza on December 12 and Raw on December 14.
The partnership builds on massive economic success from recent Perth events. Pro Wrestling Net noted that 2024's Elimination Chamber drew 18,000 out-of-state visitors, while 2025's Crown Jewel attracted 12,500 more, generating over AUD 58 million total for the Western Australian economy. The deal aims to boost tourism and local jobs through WWE's expanded Australia footprint.
Perth's WWE Track Record Drives Three-Year Extension
Western Australia's previous WWE events proved hugely successful with fans and the economy. WWE News Source reported that Wrestlepalooza 2025, headlined by John Cena and Brock Lesnar, marked the blockbuster first edition and launched WWE's partnership with ESPN. John Cena praised the Perth crowd's unique energy, calling it unlike anything he'd experienced before.
The economic impact justified the long-term commitment. Over AUD 58 million flowed into the local economy from just two years of events. Slam Wrestling noted the deal aligns with the Cook Labor Government's economic diversification strategy, aiming to sustain hospitality growth and local jobs through major annual events.
WWE's ESPN Deal Reaches New Heights With Perth Coverage
Wrestlepalooza's growth reflects WWE's deepening partnership with ESPN. TPWW highlighted that Wrestlepalooza became the first main roster event livestreamed on ESPN Unlimited, signaling expanded distribution beyond traditional pay-per-view. This partnership extends WWE's reach across Australia and beyond through streaming platforms.
The Perth events fit into a broader WWE-ESPN strategy to grow the wrestling audience. By bringing premium live events to international markets like Australia, WWE gains new viewers on ESPN while maintaining local event attendance. The model has proven successful enough to warrant a three-year commitment to Perth specifically.
Fan Experiences and Ticket Sales Begin This September
WWE fans attending the Perth takeovers will get more than just wrestling matches. The 2026 events will feature WWE Superstores, meet-and-greets with wrestlers, and other community experiences alongside the live shows. Premium ticket packages and pre-sale access through On Location will be available for dedicated fans.
General ticket sales open in September, with pre-sales beginning one day earlier. The Perth events align with other major sports tournaments—a December 9 Australia-New Zealand Test cricket match at Optus Stadium creates a packed summer sports calendar. WWE's three-event weekend takeover format maximizes fan attendance and local spending during the busy season.
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