Indianapolis to Host SmackDown as Part of Royal Rumble Weekend

The road to the Royal Rumble just got more exciting for Indianapolis! WWE has announced that the January 31, 2025, edition of Friday Night SmackDown will emanate from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, kicking off Royal Rumble weekend in the Circle City.

The Royal Rumble itself is set to take place the following evening at Lucas Oil Stadium, marking another monumental moment in WWE’s partnership with the Indiana Sports Corp. The premium live event is slated for a 6 p.m. ET start time, following the same schedule as Survivor Series.

From a recent press release, WWE revealed the massive scope of their multi-year deal with Indiana Sports Corp. “Indianapolis will host WWE’s three largest stadium events at Lucas Oil Stadium including WrestleMania and a two-night SummerSlam in future years as part of a first-of-its-kind partnership,” the release stated.

The collaboration will also see Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and live events across the state in cities like Fort Wayne and Evansville.

This marks a new era for Indiana as a wrestling hotspot, with fans set to enjoy high-caliber events throughout the partnership. For now, all eyes are on the Royal Rumble weekend, which promises to deliver electrifying action as WWE gears up for its annual marquee battle royal.