Saudi Arabia’s Attire Rule for Women Wrestlers Remains in Force at WWE Royal Rumble
As WWE’s Royal Rumble arrives in Riyadh, longstanding gear requirements for female talent continue to shape participation at the landmark event
As the WWE’s Royal Rumble prepares to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, traditional attire regulations affecting women wrestlers remain in effect, reaffirming a policy that has drawn attention throughout the company’s partnership with the Kingdom.
Under the rule, female competitors at the event are required to wear more modest, full-coverage ring gear than at typical WWE shows, and talent are individually responsible for ensuring their attire meets those parameters.
The attire stipulation traces its roots to WWE’s longstanding partnership with Saudi authorities, which began with events such as the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018. At that inaugural Saudi event, women were not permitted to compete at all, reflecting local cultural norms at the time.
Subsequent negotiations enabled women’s matches under specified gear requirements, balancing the inclusion of female talent with compliance to Saudi expectations.
For the 2026 Royal Rumble — scheduled for January 31 in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District — talent involved in the women’s division confirmed that previous Saudi Arabia gear parameters remain in force.
Wrestlers must now provide and fund their own appropriate gear that adheres to the regulations rather than relying on WWE to supply standard attire.
This practical requirement adds an additional consideration for performers accustomed to WWE’s usual outfitting arrangements.
Reaction among wrestling fans and commentators has been varied, with some viewership circles noting the continuation of these special rules as part of the unique context of WWE’s international expansion.
The Royal Rumble itself marks a historic moment as the first traditional Rumble to take place outside North America, part of a broader ten-year collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority that includes major events such as Crown Jewel and the upcoming WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh.
Despite the attire rule, the inclusion of women’s Royal Rumble matches continues to signal progress compared with earlier exclusions, and WWE leadership has framed the ongoing collaboration with Saudi Arabia as part of delivering global entertainment to diverse audiences.
Participants and officials alike have acknowledged that negotiating cultural expectations while maintaining competitive performance standards remains an ongoing dynamic as WWE stages its marquee events around the world.
Under the rule, female competitors at the event are required to wear more modest, full-coverage ring gear than at typical WWE shows, and talent are individually responsible for ensuring their attire meets those parameters.
The attire stipulation traces its roots to WWE’s longstanding partnership with Saudi authorities, which began with events such as the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018. At that inaugural Saudi event, women were not permitted to compete at all, reflecting local cultural norms at the time.
Subsequent negotiations enabled women’s matches under specified gear requirements, balancing the inclusion of female talent with compliance to Saudi expectations.
For the 2026 Royal Rumble — scheduled for January 31 in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District — talent involved in the women’s division confirmed that previous Saudi Arabia gear parameters remain in force.
Wrestlers must now provide and fund their own appropriate gear that adheres to the regulations rather than relying on WWE to supply standard attire.
This practical requirement adds an additional consideration for performers accustomed to WWE’s usual outfitting arrangements.
Reaction among wrestling fans and commentators has been varied, with some viewership circles noting the continuation of these special rules as part of the unique context of WWE’s international expansion.
The Royal Rumble itself marks a historic moment as the first traditional Rumble to take place outside North America, part of a broader ten-year collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority that includes major events such as Crown Jewel and the upcoming WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh.
Despite the attire rule, the inclusion of women’s Royal Rumble matches continues to signal progress compared with earlier exclusions, and WWE leadership has framed the ongoing collaboration with Saudi Arabia as part of delivering global entertainment to diverse audiences.
Participants and officials alike have acknowledged that negotiating cultural expectations while maintaining competitive performance standards remains an ongoing dynamic as WWE stages its marquee events around the world.
