Royal Rumble 2026 Expected to Feature a Four-Match Lineup – WWE is preparing a streamlined approach for its first Premium Live Event of 2026, with early indications pointing toward one of the most condensed Royal Rumble cards the company has presented in years. The January 31 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is expected to include just four matches, following the same structure used for November’s WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2025.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the current plan centers around the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches, supported by two championship bouts to complete the show. This format gives WWE room to keep the event tightly focused on major stipulations and high stakes without adding filler to an already packed evening of action.
As of now, WWE has not finalized which titles will be defended in the remaining two matches. Officials are still evaluating their options as storylines continue to unfold across RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. With nearly two months to go before the event, the company is keeping its creative decisions open, allowing room for shifts in momentum, new contenders to emerge, and possible surprise twists that traditionally shape the early weeks of the Royal Rumble season.
The decision to keep the card small suggests WWE wants to spotlight the Rumble matches themselves while ensuring that the title bouts included feel meaningful. A compact lineup also gives the company flexibility as it builds toward its first major milestone of 2026 and begins laying the groundwork for the year ahead.
Royal Rumble 2026 Expected to Feature a Four-Match Lineup
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