Saudi Arabia in the Running for Next Major WWE or UFC Event as TKO Hunts Global Payouts

Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference, Shapiro said TKO is actively talking with cities like Detroit, Atlanta, Charlotte, London, Paris, and several Middle Eastern markets to lock down massive site fees for its premium live events. That could include WrestleMania, SummerSlam, UFC Fight Nights, or even boxing and PBR cards. He compared the strategy to F1s global business model and made one thing abundantly clear:

Shapiro didnt mince words about the real priority either:

When pressed on UFC specifically, Shapiro revealed that TKO is working to add a second Saudi-hosted UFC event, even though Abu Dhabi currently holds the exclusive Middle East rights. To get around that, TKO is structuring deals to split revenues between territories and confirmed Doha, Qatar, as another target.

While WWEs WrestleMania is certainly in the mix, the bigger takeaway is this: every TKO property is for sale to the highest bidder. On the business front, Shapiro also dropped another monster update TKOs sponsorship money is exploding. He said UFC has gone from a modest $30$40 million in sponsorship revenue under Endeavor to now pushing $300 million, and WWE is chasing even more.

Those numbers are only going higher, thanks to new media rights deals with ESPN and Paramount+, which unlock two minutes of extra ad inventory per hour. Shapiro explained how this opens the door for 360 advertising deals everything from in-arena branding to supermarket aisles.

And advertisers are jumping on board fast:

With cities lined up to host shows and brands eager to pay, the message is clear: TKO isnt just promoting fights its selling spectacles to the highest bidder.

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