WWE Royal Rumble 2026: UK start time, matches announced and is anywhere in Leeds showing the PLE?

The WWE Royal Rumble isn't just another “big” show, but instead kicks off the story arcs that will shape the WWE landscape over the next few months, with the victors of the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches earning their spot at the Showcase of the Immortals, WrestleMania.

But hold up - what is a Royal Rumble match?

For those who haven't spent their January evenings glued to the screen before, the rules are simple but chaotic.

The match begins with two superstars in the ring, with a new participant joining the fray every 90 seconds until all 30 entrants have joined the match.

To be eliminated, a superstar must be thrown over the top rope with both feet hitting the floor; any competitor who exits through the middle or bottom ropes remains in the contest.

The stakes are immense, as the last person standing in the ring is declared the winner and earns a guaranteed world title match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.

There’s more than just the men’s and women’s 30-person brawls, though - with a glittering career on the line against a stoic European juggernaut, and an Undisputed WWE Championship battle, this year’s Royal Rumble PLE also boasts a history-making moment.

This year, the show is leaving North America for the first time in its 39-year history, emanating from the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Which means, for those WWE Universe members in the United Kingdom, a nice early start this year.

Here’s what time the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 is starting in the UK, the current match card, who has announced they are entering the 30-person match and, for those in Leeds, if anywhere in the city will be showing the huge spectacle.

What time is WWE Royal Rumble 2026 starting in the UK this weekend?

It’s a rare break from those “all-nighters” that we are sometimes accustomed to regarding WWE PLE’s.

But with the show taking place in the KSA, this year’s main card will start at 7pm GMT on January 31, exclusively on Netflix, with on-demand repeats available shortly after the show’s initial broadcast.

The fun doesn’t stop there, though - the WWE will present their official pre-show programme on their YouTube channel, usually commencing from 5pm GMT before big WWE PLEs.

What matches have been announced for WWE Royal Rumble 2026?

Though there is one more episode of WWE programming to come (in the form of this week’s Friday Night SmackDown), more matches may be added.

But at present, the current bill for the show is as follows:

• Men’s 30-man Royal Rumble match - for a shot at a WWE title of the winner’s choosing at WrestleMania 42.
• Women’s 30-woman Royal Rumble match - for a shot at a WWE title of the winner’s choosing at WrestleMania 42.
• Undisputed WWE Championship: Drew McIntyre (c) v Sami Zayn
• Career-Threatening Match: AJ Styles v Gunther (if AJ Styles loses, he must retire from the WWE)

Who has declared they will be part of the men’s or women’s Royal Rumble matches so far?

While there are expected to be a couple of surprises in store in both the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches (a return, a new face, a surprise return from injury, even), currently the following superstars have declared that they will be part of their respective Royal Rumble matches.

Men’s Royal Rumble entrants

• Cody Rhodes: January 16, 2026 (Announced on SmackDown)
• Gunther: January 19, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Jey Uso: January 19, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Rey Mysterio: January 19, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Dragon Lee: January 19, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Penta: January 19, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Roman Reigns: January 23, 2026 (Announced on SmackDown)
• Solo Sikoa: January 23, 2026 (Announced on SmackDown)
• Jacob Fatu: January 24, 2026 (Announced at Saturday Night's Main Event XLIII)
• Bron Breakker: January 26, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Logan Paul: January 26, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Bronson Reed: January 26, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Austin Theory: January 26, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Je'Von Evans: January 26, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Oba Femi: January 26, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Randy Orton: January 28, 2026 (Announced on Get Up)
• Brock Lesnar: January 28, 2026 (Announced on The Pat McAfee Show)

Women’s Royal Rumble entrants

• IYO SKY: January 19, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Rhea Ripley: January 19, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Roxanne Perez: January 19, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Liv Morgan: January 19, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Raquel Rodriguez: January 19, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Bayley: January 19, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Lyra Valkyria: January 19, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Asuka: January 19, 2026 (Announced on Raw)
• Chelsea Green: January 23, 2026 (Announced on SmackDown)
• Jordynne Grace: January 23, 2026 (Announced on SmackDown)
• Charlotte Flair: January 23, 2026 (Announced on SmackDown)
• Alexa Bliss: January 23, 2026 (Announced on SmackDown)
• Nia Jax: January 23, 2026 (Announced on SmackDown)
• Lash Legend: January 23, 2026 (Announced on SmackDown)
• Giulia: January 23, 2026 (Announced on SmackDown)
• Maxxine Dupri: January 26, 2026 (Announced on A Shot of Brandi)
• Becky Lynch: January 26, 2026 (Announced on Raw)

Is anywhere in Leeds planning to show WWE Royal Rumble 2026 live?

According to a recent post on their Facebook page, The Brotherhood of Persuits and Pastimes are set to show the event live, with bookings for tables now open, and walk-ins welcome on the day (first in, first served though)

Who do you think will win this year’s men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches - and who do you think might make a surprise return? Let us know by dropping a comment wherever you’ve read this article or by dropping an email to the authorto the author of this piece.