World · Middle East · 5 hrs ago
TKO Employees Reportedly Raise Safety Concerns Over Saudi Events
Some TKO employees say they are worried about working in Saudi Arabia while missile and drone attacks continue in the region.
TKO is the parent company of WWE and UFC, which have continued to hold events in Riyadh.
A missile struck an Aramco-owned tower in the city’s financial district hours after WWE’s Crown Jewel event.
Some employees say they feel worker safety has not been treated as a priority.
They have also questioned the company’s reliance on US State Department travel guidance and say they have not received clear details about safety plans.
Other sports events, including a tennis tournament and a golf tournament in Saudi Arabia, were postponed after attacks.
TKO still has events planned in the region, including a UFC Fight Night in Riyadh on December 5, while employees’ concerns over safety and communication remain unresolved.
TKO employees are reportedly frustrated that the company plans events in Saudi Arabia despite missile and drone attacks in the region.
Some employees say they are concerned about worker safety and have not received clear information about safety or contingency plans.
The concerns grew after a missile struck an Aramco-owned tower in Riyadh’s financial district hours after WWE Crown Jewel on Nov. 7, 2026.
TKO has events planned in Riyadh, including a Zuffa Boxing event on Nov. 14 and a UFC Fight Night on Dec. 5, 2026.
Other events, including the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament and the PIF Saudi International golf tournament, were postponed.
- Who
- TKO employees, the parent company of WWE and UFC, are reportedly raising concerns.
- What
- They are unhappy that TKO is continuing to hold events in Saudi Arabia amid attacks and say safety planning and communication are inadequate.
- When
- The reports were published on Nov. 11 and 12, 2026. The concerns relate to events planned for the coming weeks.
- Where
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and other locations in the Middle East where TKO has events planned.
- Why
- Employees reportedly fear for their safety amid missile and drone attacks and say the company has not adequately shared safety plans. One source said financial interests were driving the decision to proceed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A missile strike hit King Khalid International Airport, according to Wrestling Observer.
Several attacks took place before a Power Slap event, according to Wrestling Observer.
WWE held Crown Jewel in Riyadh.
A missile struck an Aramco-owned tower in Riyadh’s financial district; WWE wrestlers had left the country, except injured wrestler Bronson Reed, according to Wrestling Observer.
Wrestling Observer published a report on TKO employees’ concerns.
Wrestlezone published a report on employees’ frustration over the Saudi events.
- Company
- TKO, parent company of WWE and UFC
- Attack location
- Riyadh’s financial district
- Upcoming Zuffa Boxing event
- Riyadh, Nov. 14, 2026
- Upcoming UFC Fight Night
- Riyadh, Dec. 5, 2026
- Earlier WWE event
- Crown Jewel, Riyadh, Nov. 7, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
Why are you still even having these shows at this point?
So it’s all about greed. They don’t care about anybody’s well-being. The level of greed with this company is so gross.
The rest of us are like, ‘If the State Department has to think about it at all, let’s just postpone.’ That’s what all the other sports are doing. Why can’t TKO?
Not one email has gone out saying, ‘Here are the details and the plans for December 5th.’ That’s crazy.