Arizona Lands NOCHE UFC, WWE Royal Rumble, PBR World Finals in Major TKO Deal

TKO Group Holdings, the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance and Legends Global announced that NOCHE UFC, WWE Royal Rumble and the PBR World Finals: Championship are headed to Glendale, marking the first confirmed events under a sweeping three-year partnership.

The seven-event agreement, first announced in May, is TKO’s first deal with a state-level organization to span UFC, WWE, PBR and Zuffa Boxing. Events will be staged at State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena.

“Arizona is proud to be the first state to establish this kind of partnership with TKO, reflecting our commitment to innovative collaborations that create lasting economic opportunity,” Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said in a press release.

Hobbs added that the events are expected to drive tourism, investment and economic growth while showcasing Arizona as a major sports and entertainment destination.

The first event arrives quickly. NOCHE UFC will take over Desert Diamond Arena on Sept. 12, 2026, with a card built around Mexican and Latin American fighters as part of the promotion’s annual Mexican Independence Day celebration.

Former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez will face fast-rising contender Jean Silva in the main event. Former women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso will meet Manon Fiorot, while former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno takes on “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 33 winner Joseph Morales.

It will be the fourth edition of NOCHE UFC and the first held at Desert Diamond Arena.

“Arizona is a proven destination for major live events, and Glendale gives us two exceptional venues in State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena,” Peter Dropick, TKO’s executive vice president of event development and operations, said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance and Legends Global to deliver this lineup of marquee UFC, WWE, and PBR experiences for fans across the state.”

WWE will follow with the 40th annual Royal Rumble at State Farm Stadium in February 2027. The event will mark the first Royal Rumble at the venue and Arizona’s third time hosting the show, following editions in 2013 and 2019.

The event will feature the traditional 30-man and 30-woman Royal Rumble matches, with the winners earning championship opportunities at WrestleMania 43. An exact date and general ticket on-sale information will be announced later.

PBR will then bring its World Finals: Championship to Desert Diamond Arena from May 20-23, 2027. The four-day event will feature the sport’s top riders and bulls competing for a world title and marks the championship’s arrival in a new market.

Arizona already has a foothold in the sport through the Arizona Ridge Riders, the state’s official PBR team. The Ridge Riders will host Ridge Rider Days at Desert Diamond Arena from Oct. 8-10.

“TKO’s globally recognized brands have an extraordinary ability to unite passionate fans from around the world through premier live events and media platforms,” Jay Parry, president and CEO of the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance, said.

Parry added that the partnership is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors over the next three years and further establish Arizona as a hub for major sports, entertainment and business activity.

Legends Global operates both host venues and will oversee the fan experience surrounding the events.

“As part of this first-of-its-kind partnership, Desert Diamond Arena and State Farm Stadium will host some of the biggest nights in sports and entertainment over the next few years,” Josh Kritzler, president of North American venues and content at Legends Global, noted in the release. “Our job is to ensure every fan who walks through the doors has an experience that matches these world-class events.”

Zuffa Boxing is also included in the agreement, although dates and event details have not yet been announced.

Tickets for NOCHE UFC are on sale through Ticketmaster, while PBR World Finals tickets are available through PBR. WWE fans can register for Royal Rumble presale access ahead of the general on-sale announcement.