By: John Pollock & Brandon Thurston
WWE will return to Puerto Rico in 2026 for a premium live event, according to sources with knowledge of the event.
The promotion is set to stage Backlash in San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to multiple sources who informed John Pollock and Brandon Thurston.
While we have not confirmed the exact date, a source with access to an internal calendar indicates Backlash is listed for Saturday, May 9.
The event follows the successful 2023 version of the event, which included a $1.5 million subsidy and a $300,000 “in-kind contribution” provided by the Puerto Rico Conventions District Authority. WWE also held Friday Night SmackDown on the night before Backlash in May 2023 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot.
Wrestlenomics reported that the 2023 events in Puerto Rico saw SmackDown sell 14,282 tickets and grossed a gate of $1,048,295. Backlash, the next night, sold 15,145 tickets and generated a $1,447,558 gate.
We have not confirmed whether WWE is receiving comparable incentives for the 2026 event. Our attempts to request comments from local government officials have not been returned.
The May 9 date means Backlash would occur three weeks after the two-night WrestleMania 42 shows at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18 and 19.
While not confirmed for the event, it is reasonable to assume WWE would want Bad Bunny’s involvement for a return to Puerto Rico. The musician is slated for the Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour but is not scheduled for any shows between March 1 and May 26, according to the tour’s website.
POST Wrestling did reach out to WWE for comment and will update this story if they respond.