The U.S. State Department had ordered all diplomats and non-emergency government personnel to leave Saudi Arabia in October, citing security concerns. A further security alert issued on November 6 warned Americans in the Middle East to exercise “heightened vigilance” due to increased threats from Iranian-supported Houthis. Despite these warnings, the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia posted a statement supporting the event, framing it as part of “American sports diplomacy.”
TKO’s decision to maintain the event contrasts with other international corporations and sports organizations that have postponed or canceled activities in the Kingdom. The Six Kings Slam tennis tournament and the PIF Saudi International golf tournament were postponed due to the attacks. Additionally, Formula 1, UCI Urban Cycling, and the MDLBEAST Soundstorm Music Festival pulled out of Riyadh Season. Eve Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, remarked that “hard times reveal true friends,” suggesting pressure on partners to maintain their commitments during the crisis.
Internal sources indicate that TKO employees are increasingly frustrated by the company’s insistence on holding events in Riyadh. One anonymous source within the company told Uncrowned that workers feel their safety is an “afterthought” and that the decision is driven by financial necessity rather than employee well-being. “The level of greed with this company is so gross,” the source said, adding that skipping the shows would negatively impact fourth-quarter earnings and shareholder returns. The event was moved from an outdoor stadium to the indoor ANB Arena as a precautionary measure, a change Shapiro described as a “war-related adjustment.”
The geopolitical situation remains fluid. Shapiro noted a shift in U.S. political rhetoric, referencing Vice President JD Vance’s comments that the war in Iran was a factor in recent election results. While Shapiro stated the company is proceeding “as if these events will go off without a hitch,” he acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the conflict’s duration. One top WWE star, Gunther, reportedly refused to travel to Saudi Arabia for the event, though WWE continued to promote his storyline until the last minute. TKO representatives did not respond to requests for comment regarding the specific safety concerns raised by staff.
