World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
WWE Crown Jewel remains scheduled in Riyadh amid security concerns
The U.S. ordered non-emergency government staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia as attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces escalate.
The order applies to U.S. government employees and their families in Saudi Arabia, not the other countries named in an earlier report.
WWE Crown Jewel is still scheduled for November 7 in Riyadh, and WWE has not announced plans to move or postpone it.
Houthi attacks have hit Saudi airports and other critical infrastructure; an October 10 strike on Riyadh's airport killed at least 13 people and injured more than 300, according to Saudi authorities.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh remains suspended, while airports in Jeddah and Dammam are operating with some delays and cancellations.
U.S. warnings say the fighting could spread and disrupt travel, and several events in Riyadh have been canceled or postponed.
Whether WWE changes the event remains unclear; the company has made no announcement about a change.
WWE Crown Jewel remains scheduled to take place in Riyadh on November 7.
The U.S. State Department ordered nonessential diplomatic personnel and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia.
The order followed escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other infrastructure.
The U.S. Embassy warned of potential further attacks and travel disruption.
WWE had not announced plans to postpone, reschedule or relocate the event.
- Who
- WWE and the U.S. State Department.
- What
- Crown Jewel remains scheduled in Riyadh as the U.S. orders nonessential diplomatic personnel and their families to leave Saudi Arabia.
- When
- The event is scheduled for November 7. The departure order was announced on October 21, 2026.
- Where
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The U.S. order followed escalating Houthi attacks, including strikes on civilian airports and other infrastructure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A Houthi attack struck Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
U.S. diplomatic missions issued security warnings to Americans amid escalating Houthi attacks.
The State Department ordered nonessential personnel and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia.
WWE Crown Jewel is scheduled to take place in Riyadh.
- Event
- WWE Crown Jewel
- Scheduled date
- November 7
- Venue city
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- U.S. departure order
- Nonessential diplomatic personnel and their family members
- Announcement date
- October 21, 2026
4 sources
US orders some personnel to leave Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks
US orders embassy staff to leave Saudi Arabia as WWE Crown Jewel remains scheduled for Riyadh
US orders some diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia during Houthi fight
U.S. ramps up warnings to Americans in Middle East after Houthi strikes
What people are saying
The U.S. Department of State issued an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only.
The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area.
Posts on X
This is inaccurate. The U.S. Department of State issued an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members in Saudi Arabia only. Iranian-supported Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on
Saudi Arabia: Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. The hostilities have the potential to escalate
#BREAKING US embassy staff and families ordered to leave Saudi Arabia, with families of embassy staff in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain also ordered to leave, diplomatic source tells AFP