John Cena has not changed his mind about WrestleMania coming to London. Three years after using a WWE appearance in the city to make the case publicly, Cena has again said he believes the British capital has earned the right to host the company’s biggest event of the year.
Cena’s latest comments arrive at a notable moment for WWE’s international ambitions. WrestleMania is scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027, which will mark the first time the event has taken place outside North America. While dates for that show have not been officially announced, its planned location represents a major milestone for a spectacle that has traditionally been staged in the United States and Canada.
For Cena, that move also strengthens the argument that London should eventually receive its own WrestleMania. Speaking on Off The Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster, the 17-time world champion described Saudi Arabia’s forthcoming event as evidence that WrestleMania can successfully travel beyond its historical North American footprint.
“I’m still an advocate to try and bring WrestleMania to London,” Cena said. “I think London has earned the right to have the event. I am very excited about this year’s WrestleMania because it is the first WrestleMania outside of North America. It’s like proof of concept that it can be done.”
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Cena’s attachment to the idea is not new. At Money in the Bank 2023, WWE brought a major premium live event to London’s O2 Arena, and Cena made a surprise appearance during the show. Rather than merely receiving the crowd’s welcome, he used the platform to openly advocate for WrestleMania in London. The response from the audience was immediate and loud, underscoring the connection between Cena and a market that has consistently shown strong enthusiasm for WWE events.
Looking back at that moment, Cena said the push was his own initiative rather than a planned company message. His reasoning centered on what he has seen from London crowds, as well as the city’s appeal for fans traveling in for an event on WrestleMania’s scale.
“That was just me putting it out there,” Cena said. “Honestly, it’s just my perspective. I look around and see the energy, passion, and enthusiasm. What a great city for people to come to. WrestleMania is such a travel to event. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world. I think it’d be a nice piece of culture for people to explore and experience WrestleMania. We need to do WrestleMania here.”
Cena sees London as a destination WrestleMania city
The core of Cena’s case is clear: WrestleMania is not simply a one-night wrestling card. It is a destination event, with fans often traveling substantial distances to attend the main show and the surrounding WWE programming. A WrestleMania week generally carries a broader significance than the stadium event itself, making the host city a major part of the experience.
Cena believes London would be particularly well suited to that role. His comments emphasized the city’s cultural appeal and its ability to welcome visitors, while also pointing to the passion WWE has seen from its audiences there. That combination has made London a frequent focal point whenever fans discuss possible international destinations for WrestleMania.
He also acknowledged that he does not know the status of any internal discussions about the possibility. Still, Cena said he intends to continue lending his voice to the cause whenever an opportunity presents itself.
“I am still a strong advocate that this crowd, this city, has earned the right to WrestleMania,” Cena said. “What little stroke I have, I try to rile up the crowd a few times to say London has earned WrestleMania, and it did get people talking. I don’t know where those talks are at, but hopefully, maybe I can return to the O2 and stake that claim again.”
That last point reflects the unusual nature of Cena’s campaign. He is not presenting a confirmed plan or suggesting that a London WrestleMania is close to being finalized. Instead, he is using his stature as one of WWE’s most recognizable figures to keep the conversation alive. Cena’s status ensures that any public endorsement of the idea receives attention, especially when it follows the company’s decision to take WrestleMania to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia changes the international conversation
The planned 2027 WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia is central to the current discussion. Once that event takes place, the longstanding assumption that WrestleMania must remain in North America will no longer apply. It does not guarantee that WWE will bring the event to London, but it does establish that the company is willing to consider a host city outside its traditional geographic base.
Cena called that development “proof of concept,” and it is easy to understand why. The logistics, presentation, infrastructure, and travel demands surrounding WrestleMania are significant. Moving the event internationally requires planning on a scale beyond a standard television episode or premium live event. Saudi Arabia hosting WrestleMania will offer WWE its first experience of staging its flagship show outside North America.
London’s advocates can reasonably view that as a meaningful shift. The city has already hosted WWE events, including Money in the Bank in 2023, and Cena’s appearance that night remains one of the more memorable examples of a WWE star directly championing the market during a live broadcast. But hosting WrestleMania would be a different level of commitment, with the event’s global profile and travel-heavy audience placing unique demands on any potential host.
Cena’s position is that London has already demonstrated enough to deserve consideration. He did not identify a particular stadium, a proposed year, or any concrete plan. His comments were instead focused on the city’s fanbase and its merits as a destination. Those are important distinctions, particularly because there has been no indication of a London WrestleMania being formally set.
No London talks were identified for 2028
There is also a recent note of caution for those hoping that a London WrestleMania announcement is imminent. In May, Tom Degun of the Economic Desk with the Mayor of London’s Press Office said there were no discussions to bring WrestleMania to London in 2028.
That does not close the door on London hosting at some later point, and Cena himself did not claim otherwise. However, it does underline the difference between a prominent WWE figure advocating for the idea and an actual bid or agreement reaching a formal stage. At present, Cena’s comments should be understood as support for a future possibility rather than confirmation of any planned event.
The 2027 Saudi Arabia show will likely be watched closely in that regard. Its success could influence how WWE evaluates future international WrestleManias, while London will remain one of the most discussed cities in any conversation about expanding the event’s global reach. Cena clearly wants the capital to be near the front of that line.
An enduring message from one of WWE’s biggest names
Cena’s advocacy has been consistent since Money in the Bank 2023. He saw the reaction inside the O2 Arena, took the opportunity to call for WrestleMania in the city, and has continued to make the same case years later. The message has not been softened by the lack of a confirmed London event: in Cena’s view, the crowd, the city, and the overall destination appeal have already made the case.
Whether WWE ultimately agrees remains unknown. WrestleMania’s move to Saudi Arabia in 2027 means the event is entering new territory, and that makes future international possibilities more relevant than ever. For now, Cena remains one of London’s loudest supporters inside the WWE world, prepared to raise the issue again if he gets the chance to stand before a London crowd.
“We need to do WrestleMania here,” Cena said. For London fans, it is a message they have heard before — and one that Cena is determined to keep repeating.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.