WWE has officially confirmed that Backlash is returning in 2026, and this time, the action will head to Tampa, Florida. The highly anticipated Premium Live Event (PLE) will take place on Saturday, May 9 at the Benchmark International Arena, just three weeks after the grand spectacle of WrestleMania 42.
Announced by WWE Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque via social media, the news has already sparked major excitement among fans. With Tampa being a proven wrestling hotbed and the event falling just after WrestleMania, Backlash 2026 is expected to be massive.
Backlash Heads to Tampa: What Fans Can Expect
Tampa isn’t new to WWE. In fact, it has played host to several major shows in recent years, including:
- Royal Rumble 2024 at Tropicana Field
- SmackDown and Saturday Night’s Main Event 2025 at the Yuengling Center
Now, with Backlash 2026 set for the Benchmark International Arena—also home to the Tampa Bay Lightning—fans can expect a high-energy crowd and possibly some fallout from WrestleMania 42.
Backlash has traditionally featured matches that build on WrestleMania storylines, giving fans continued drama and rivalries.
Puerto Rico Misses Out on Backlash 2026
Earlier reports from Post Wrestling suggested that San Juan, Puerto Rico was in the running to host Backlash again. Puerto Rico last hosted it in 2023, and the event was a hit.
Here’s how that show performed:
- SmackDown Attendance: 14,282 tickets sold
- Gate Revenue: $1,048,295
- Backlash Attendance: 15,145 tickets sold
- Gate Revenue: $1,447,558
The 2023 edition was headlined by Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar, but it’s best remembered for the San Juan Street Fight between Bad Bunny and Damian Priest—a match that had fans and critics raving.
While Puerto Rico won’t host Backlash this year, it’s still likely to be part of WWE’s 2026 calendar with a different PLE later in the year.
2026 WWE Premium Live Event Calendar (So Far)
Here’s a look at the major WWE PLEs announced or rumoured so far in 2026:
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Rumble | Saturday, Jan 31 | KAFD, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Elimination Chamber | Saturday, Feb 28 | United Center, Chicago, Illinois |
| WrestleMania 42 | Apr 18 & 19 (Sat-Sun) | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Backlash | Saturday, May 9 | Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL |
| Italy PLE (TBD) | Sunday, May 31 | Unknown venue, Italy (not confirmed) |
| SummerSlam | Aug 1 & 2 (Sat-Sun) | U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN |
| Money in the Bank | Sunday, Sep 6 | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA |
More dates and locations are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Why Backlash 2026 Matters
Backlash is known for continuing big WrestleMania feuds and delivering shocking outcomes. With WrestleMania 42 wrapping up in April, fans can expect intense rematches, revenge plots, and possibly even title changes in Tampa.
The timing, location, and recent success of WWE shows in the city all point to a major event that fans won’t want to miss.
