Saudi Arabia’s top sports body announces 10-year deal with WWE

Saudi sports chief Turki Al-Sheikh with the WWE's Vince McMahn (L) and Triple H. (SPA)
Updated 01 March 2018
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Saudi Arabia’s top sports body announces 10-year deal with WWE

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s top sports authority has announced a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) to hold wrestling events in the country for the next ten years, the Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday.

Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Saudi General Sports Authority, signed the exclusive agreement with WWE’s Vince McMahn in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
The deal means the entertainment brand holding a number of events featuring some of the most famous wrestlers in the world.

The agreement will see Saudi wrestling fans enjoying events such as "Royal Rumble", "Tag Team", "Raw Title”, and “Peace.”

WWE will organize these events using different methods, in terms of production and output, that will present the competitions in a unique way for the Saudi public.

The signing of the international agreement continues the Kingdom’s bold move to boost its entertainment industry by hosting landmark sporting events.

Earlier this year Saudi Arabia hosted The Race of Champions, a two-day event featuring drivers from Formula 1, Rallycross and IndyCar. That has since been followed up with the King Salman Chess Cup and the Riyadh International Marathon, which witnessed more than 30 thousand participants.

In May the World Boxing Super Series Cruiserweight Final is set to take place in Jeddah. In what is being billed as the fight of the year, Oleksandr Usyk and Murat Gassiev will slug it out, with the winner unifying the division. Also at stake is the Muhammad Ali Trophy and $10 million for the winner.


Champions League: Barcelona travels to Newcastle as round of 16 gets underway

Updated 10 March 2026
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Champions League: Barcelona travels to Newcastle as round of 16 gets underway

  • Spanish champions travel to St. James’ Park for the first leg, with coach Hansi Flick leaving his players in no doubt about what’s at stake

Barcelona faces Newcastle as the Champions League round of 16 gets underway on Tuesday.
The Spanish champions travel to St. James’ Park for the first leg, with coach Hansi Flick leaving his players in no doubt about what’s at stake.
“It’s one of the most important moments of the season and we are all ready for it,” he said.
Five-time European champion Barcelona hasn’t won the Champions League since 2015 and has had to watch on as its fiercest rival Real Madrid has dominated the competition.
Flick delivered the Spanish title last season, but his team was knocked out of the Champions League at the semifinals stage. He is aiming to improve on that this time around.
“What I can say is everything here in Barcelona is great,” he said. “I’m here 1 1-2 years and I’m enjoying every single day working with this fantastic team, with these fantastic players, with this staff around.
“Now we are building this club also for the future. This is what we want to do.”
Liverpool travels to Galatasaray on Tuesday and Bayern Munich is away to Atalanta.
Atletico Madrid hosts a Tottenham team that is fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League.