Plans for WrestleMania 42 appear to have taken a major turn. Despite an earlier announcement, the massive two-night event is now reportedly no longer scheduled to take place in New Orleans, with WWE instead looking to shift the show to Las Vegas, according to a report from NOLA.com on Thursday.
The original plan would have brought WrestleMania back to New Orleans, a city that previously hosted successful editions in 2014 (WrestleMania 30) and 2018 (WrestleMania 34). However, sources claim WWE, under TKO Group Holdings, is now re-evaluating its venue decision in pursuit of a more lucrative deal — with Las Vegas emerging as the frontrunner.
The reported change has sparked criticism from fans and industry veterans alike, including former WWE personality Jonathan Coachman, who took to Twitter/X to share his frustration.
“TKO does it again. Looking to collect every last dime they can get their hands [on] — now they will even back out of an announcement of their biggest event due to a bigger check being put on the table,” Coachman wrote.
He added a pointed comparison to other major sports leagues:
“Can you imagine the NFL announcing the Super Bowl and saying, ‘Sorry San Diego, we will give you the Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl to be named later?’ One head-scratching move after another that comes back to $$$$ being at the heart of every single decision.”
TKO does it again. Looking to collect every last dime they can get their hands now they will even back out of an announcement of their biggest event due to a bigger check being put on the table. Can you imagine the NFL announcing the Super Bowl and saying sorry San Diego we will… https://t.co/Vj3ZLbNkOa
— The Coach (@Thecoachrules) May 22, 2025
As of now, WWE has not issued an official statement confirming the relocation, but the company’s shifting approach under TKO continues to fuel speculation that profit-driven venue decisions may outweigh previous commitments — even for an event as monumental as WrestleMania.
With Las Vegas continuing to rise as a major sports and entertainment hub, and venues like Allegiant Stadium offering massive capacity and financial incentives, the move — if finalized — would mark yet another high-profile pivot during WWE’s new corporate era.
Stay tuned to PWMania.com for official updates on WrestleMania 42, venue announcements, and reactions from across the wrestling world.
