RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe greater Phoenix area is no stranger to major sports events, as noted by Arizona Sports & Events Alliance president and CEO Jay Parry on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at State Farm Stadium.
Super Bowls. College Football Playoff games. The Men's and Women's Final Fours. And there is more to come.
On the heels of the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance's recent announcement of a seven-event agreement with TKO Group Holdings and Legends Global, the three events are now confirmed. They are Noche UFC on Sept. 12 at Desert Diamond Arena, WWE's massively popular Royal Rumble in February 2027 at State Farm Stadium and the PBR World Finals: Championship at Desert Diamond Arena May 20-23, 2027.
The seven-event agreement spans three years and is the first-ever for TKO — the parent company of UFC, PBR, WWE and Zuffa Boxing — with a state-level organization to bring its most high-profile live sports and entertainment properties to one of the country’s top major-event destinations.
Zuffa Boxing, a rising promotion that has already signed big names in the sport and is looking to make a bigger splash as it gains its footing, will have events in the area with dates yet to be determined.
UFC president Dana White talks about Noche UFC, coming to Arizona in September. pic.twitter.com/7I52AsfEeB
— José M. Romero (@RomeroJoseM) August 4, 2026 "We're so excited to have you here in greater Phoenix, and to have you making the impact and also growing your brands right here with Arizonans," Arizona Cardinals owner and president Michael Bidwill said, looking over at UFC president and CEO Dana White, UFC fighters Sean O'Malley and Brandon Moreno, WWE stars Nikki Bella of Scottsdale and Chelsea Green and PBR cowboys Eric Novoa and Daylon Swearingen.
"Our community is the perfect place because of the infrastructure here. The airport to bring your fans in from out of town. The freeways. The unbelievable first-class, world-class hospitality community."
White's Noche UFC has traditionally been held in Las Vegas, but moves to Phoenix to take advantage of not having to share the Mexican Independence Day weekend with a major boxing event in Vegas.
"It will make it a lot easier for people who maybe can't make the trip to Vegas and can't afford to go to Vegas, you can see it right here in your home state," White said.
He talked about the timing of the agreement between TKO and Arizona Sports & Events Alliance.
"Coming back to Arizona and doing something like this took a long time," White said, sharing that he felt goose bumps about it. "But once these guys started talking, it all came together really fast, and you know, you could tell by (Tuesday's event), everybody was real enthusiastic."
Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, making his first appearance at Noche UFC, will face "The Ultimate Fighter, Season 33" winner Joseph Morales in one of the fights. Moreno became the first Mexican-born fighter to win a UFC title belt when he did it at what is now Desert Diamond Arena in June 2021.
"You open your eyes and all the arena is nuts, with the Mexican flags around the arena and the fans screaming your name," Moreno recalled. "It's crazy to think about it and rethink about it, and it's something I'm super grateful for."
The Royal Rumble returns to Arizona for the first time since 2013 and third time overall.
It will be headlined by the 30-man and 30-womanRoyal Rumble matches, with the winners each receiving a championship match opportunity at WrestleMania 43.
No date yet. But February 2027. https://t.co/7Ft0kBLAQI
— José M. Romero (@RomeroJoseM) August 4, 2026 At the PBR's World Finals, the sport's top riders will be in action. The Arizona Ridge Riders are Arizona's official PBR team and will hold their annual Ridge Rider Days at Desert Diamond Arena Oct. 8-10.
"Once that gate opens, it plays out the way God wants it to," Swearingen said.
Away from Tuesday's event with TKO and the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance, another major sports event was announced for State Farm Stadium for Oct. 3. The U.S. men's national team faces regional rival Mexico at 7 p.m. that night in a match that will surely draw a huge crowd.
Tickets for that game go on sale this Friday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m. It will be the fourth Arizona meeting between the two sides, and the 80th overall.
As the U.S. national team's most frequent opponent, Mexico is 38-24-17 against the Americans across 92 years of competition.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Major events headed to Valley. UFC, WWE, pro bull riders and soccer
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