WWE to hold first-ever PLE in Italy

As WWE continues its global expansion efforts, Italy is set to host its first-ever Premium Live Event.

WWE President Nick Khan revealed to SportsBusiness that Italy is getting a WWE PLE next year. Further details have not been announced yet, past Khan saying the show will happen in early 2026.

“Almost half of our Premium Live Events take place outside of the United States now,” Khan said. “We believe WWE is a global property, we believe the results on these shows both in terms of attendance and viewership [locally and globally] have been significant. We have seen year-over-year increases for viewership on each one.”

SportsBusiness notes that the PLE will coincide with WWE’s weekly programming slate becoming available on Netflix in Italy. Currently, Warner Bros. Discovery is WWE’s broadcast partner in the country. WWE PLEs air on Netflix internationally, with ESPN now carrying the events in the U.S. with WWE moving away from Peacock.

Khan, who spoke to SportsBusiness at the 2025 IMG x RedBird Summit, said WWE’s audience numbers on Netflix and the technical stability of the streaming platform have been an “A+ thus far.”

WWE’s most recent trip to Italy happened this March for an episode of SmackDown in Bologna.

Europe hosted a WWE PLE last month with Clash in Paris being held in France. This October, WWE is heading to Australia for Crown Jewel: Perth.

WWE returning to Italy for May live event

WWE is returning to Italy for the first time in more than five years.

It was announced today that WWE will hold a house show in Bologna, Italy on Wednesday, May 1. The show is taking place in advance of WWE’s Backlash premium live event being held in France on Saturday, May 4.

UNIPOL Arena in Bologna is hosting the Italy house show.

WWE wrote:

Fans attending WWE Live in Bologna, Italy, will see their favorite WWE Superstars from both Raw and SmackDown in action including ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes, Bianca Belair, Randy Orton, WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY, Drew McIntyre, LA Knight, Bobby Lashley, Kevin Owens, ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso, and many more.

Tickets and VIP packages – including Meet & Greet opportunities with WWE Superstars – go on sale this Friday, February 16.

This will be the first time WWE has been to Italy since a 2018 house show tour.

Backlash is taking place from Lyon on May 4. The night before the event, SmackDown will also emanate live from Lyon.

WWE is coming to Germany this August for SmackDown and its Bash in Berlin PLE. Those shows are being held on Friday, August 30 and Saturday, August 31.