News Summary
WrestleMania 42 has been shifted from New Orleans to Las Vegas, now taking place in 2026. This relocation follows discussions after the initial announcement made by Dwayne Johnson. While Las Vegas secures its second hosting, New Orleans will host WWE’s Money in the Bank in August 2026. The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation continues to collaborate on attracting more events to the city, despite this significant change in the wrestling landscape.
New Orleans – WrestleMania 42 has been officially relocated from New Orleans to Las Vegas, with the event now slated to take place in 2026. This significant change was announced by the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation on May 22, 2025, after initial plans for the prestigious wrestling event were made public just months earlier in February 2025.
Former wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson first revealed New Orleans as the host city for WrestleMania during a segment on WWE’s Smackdown. However, shortly after the announcement, discussions arose regarding the possibility of Las Vegas taking over as the new venue for WrestleMania in 2026. Current reports indicate that Las Vegas is now expected to be the host city for the annual wrestling showcase for a second consecutive year.
Officials from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority have opted not to comment on the confirmation of WrestleMania 42’s change of location. Instead, WWE’s Money in the Bank premium live event is now planned to occur in New Orleans in 2026, with the event scheduled for August 29. This development aligns with broader multi-event agreements being negotiated between local organizers and TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company.
Significant Upcoming Events
In addition to Money in the Bank, New Orleans will witness UFC 318 at the Smoothie King Center on July 19, 2025. The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation has expressed its commitment to expanding partnerships with TKO to bring more local events to the area.
Background of WrestleMania in New Orleans
The Superdome in New Orleans has previously hosted WrestleMania events in 2014 and 2018, creating a strong association between the venue and WWE’s flagship annual show. While the specific reasons for relocating WrestleMania from New Orleans remain unclear, this shift is part of TKO’s strategy to negotiate site fees and economic incentives with host cities, aimed at benefiting local businesses.
Las Vegas has proven to be an attractive location for WWE, having provided the organization with a $5 million site fee for the recent WrestleMania event. Furthermore, New Jersey will be contributing $7.1 million for the two-day Summerslam event set to be held at MetLife Stadium in August 2025.
WWE’s Position on the Changes
WWE Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque acknowledged the changes in a video message, though specific details regarding the relocation have not been disclosed. The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation reiterated its collaboration with New Orleans & Company, a local tourism marketing organization, in developing strategies to bring major events to the city.
As the year progresses, the focus on major wrestling and UFC events in New Orleans and Las Vegas highlights the ongoing efforts to enhance local tourism and entertainment opportunities. The relocation of WrestleMania 42 marks a substantial event planning shift, which could reshape future hosting arrangements for these major sporting undertakings.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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New Orleans Achieves Record Tourism Recovery
WrestleMania 42 to be Held in Las Vegas
New Initiative to Boost Tourism in New Orleans
Memorial Day Weekend in New Orleans Offers Diverse Events
WWE Cancels WrestleMania 42 in New Orleans
WrestleMania 42 Canceled in New Orleans, City Left Behind
New Orleans Loses WrestleMania 42 Hosting Opportunity
Additional Resources
- Wrestlenomics: UFC 318 Event
- Wikipedia: WrestleMania
- Bleacher Report: WrestleMania 42 Relocation
- Google Search: WrestleMania 2026 News
- iHeartRadio: WrestleMania 42 Report
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
