Royal Rumble 2026 Preview: Card, Entrants, Rumours and WrestleMania Stakes – Sportsphere24
Royal Rumble 2026 is just hours away, and WWE’s traditional launchpad to the Road to WrestleMania is already being billed as one of the most unpredictable and high-stakes editions in years. With no confirmed results yet, all attention is on the card, potential entrants, surprise returns and bold predictions, as two Rumble winners prepare to punch their tickets to WrestleMania 42.
Date, Location and How to Watch
Royal Rumble 2026 takes place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, and will air as a WWE Premium Live Event on Peacock and WWE Network, alongside traditional pay-per-view in select regions.
As always, the Rumble marks the official beginning of WWE’s most important season, with the winners of the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches earning championship opportunities at WrestleMania.
Confirmed Card (So Far)
WWE has officially promoted the following core matches:
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Men’s Royal Rumble Match
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Women’s Royal Rumble Match
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Undisputed WWE Championship
Drew McIntyre (c) vs Sami Zayn -
Career Match
AJ Styles vs Gunther
(If Styles loses, his WWE career ends)
While additional title bouts or grudge matches could still be added, these four matches form the backbone of WWE’s Royal Rumble 2026 promotion.
Men’s Royal Rumble: Entrants and Predictions
The Men’s Royal Rumble is shaping up as one of the deepest fields in recent memory. Confirmed names and heavily rumoured entrants include:
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Cody Rhodes
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Roman Reigns
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Brock Lesnar
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Gunther
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Bron Breakker
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Jey Uso
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Logan Paul
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Jacob Fatu
Among analysts and fan previews, Cody Rhodes is being pushed as a leading favourite, with some suggesting WWE may be setting him up as a three-time Royal Rumble winner—a move that would be historic but potentially divisive.
At the same time, speculation persists that Roman Reigns could reclaim the spotlight with a Rumble win, setting up another blockbuster WrestleMania main event. These scenarios remain predictions only, with WWE known to pivot sharply on the night.
Women’s Royal Rumble: Who Has the Momentum?
On the women’s side, Tiffany Stratton has emerged as a popular favourite across previews and prediction pieces. Many believe WWE is positioning her for a WrestleMania rematch with Jade Cargill, potentially evolving into a multi-woman title scenario if Jordynne Grace or another major name becomes involved.
As always, the Women’s Royal Rumble is expected to feature:
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Surprise returns
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NXT call-ups
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Legends or one-night appearances
All of which could dramatically shift the expected outcome.
Major Storylines Heading Into the Show
Drew McIntyre vs Sami Zayn
This Undisputed WWE Championship match is built around emotion, loyalty and belief, with Zayn chasing redemption and McIntyre asserting his dominance as champion. The result will heavily influence who headlines WrestleMania.
AJ Styles vs Gunther – Career on the Line
One of the most dramatic non-Rumble matches in years, this bout carries real weight. If AJ Styles loses, his WWE career is over, making every strike and near-fall feel monumental against the ruthless Gunther.
Surprise Returns and Shock Entrants
Royal Rumble speculation wouldn’t be complete without talk of surprise appearances. Names like LA Knight and other former stars or cross-promotional talents continue to trend online, especially surrounding the Men’s Rumble.
Why Royal Rumble 2026 Matters
Royal Rumble isn’t just another WWE event—it’s the direction-setter for the entire year. Titles, rivalries, and WrestleMania main events all begin here, and with so many believable winners and unresolved storylines, Royal Rumble 2026 feels wide open.
For Sportsphere24, this event delivers everything modern wrestling fans crave:
uncertainty, speculation, emotion and spectacle.