LAS VEGAS, NV – The spectacle of WrestleMania 42 descends upon the Allegiant Stadium today, April 18, 2026, marking a significant shift in how the WWE’s premier event reaches its audience. The two-night extravaganza, spanning Saturday, April 18th, and Sunday, April 19th, will see its initial hour broadcast on linear ESPN2 for Night 1 and ESPN for Night 2, a departure from previous years. The full event, however, will stream via the ESPN App for subscribers and is slated for international distribution on Netflix.
The core event kicks off in the United States with the Night 1 preshow beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET (noon PT) on Saturday, April 18th, followed by the main show at 6:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. PT). Night 2 follows a similar schedule, with the initial hour airing at 6:00 p.m. ET and the full broadcast accessible via streaming platforms.
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Championship Showdowns and Stipulated Outcomes
The marquee matchups feature Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton on Night 1. A particularly intriguing stipulation surrounds this bout: should Orton lose, commentator Pat McAfee is reportedly obligated to exit the wrestling scene. The women's divisions are also heavily featured, with Rhea Ripley set to defend the WWE Women's Championship against Jade Cargill, and CM Punk challenging Becky Lynch for the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship.
Further down the card, a highly anticipated Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match is scheduled, with Penta reportedly defending against a field of contenders. Liv Morgan is also slated to face Seth Rollins for the Women's World Championship. The championship landscape is extensive, with other notable contests including AJ Lee versus Brock Lesnar for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and Sami Zayn defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns.
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Global Reach and Venue
For viewers outside the United States, WrestleMania 42 will be accessible on Netflix in most international territories. The event's timing translates to early morning hours on April 19th and 20th across various global time zones, with broadcast times ranging from 11:00 p.m. GMT on April 18th to 10:00 a.m. NZDT on April 19th.
The decision to host WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, at the modern Allegiant Stadium, signifies the event's continued embrace of large-scale, high-production value venues, drawing the spectacle away from the usual arenas to a location famed for its entertainment offerings.
