WWE Backlash 2026 Announced for Tampa

The annual pay-per-view event will take place at the Benchmark International Arena on May 9, 2026.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 11:15am

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WWE Chief Content Officer Paul 'Triple H' Levesque announced that the Backlash pay-per-view event will return in 2026, taking place on May 9 at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. The event will come just three weeks after WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.

Why it matters

Backlash is a major annual WWE event, and its return to the calendar in 2026 will be a significant moment for the company and its fans. Tampa has hosted numerous high-profile WWE events in recent years, making it an ideal location for Backlash.

The details

Levesque made the announcement on his social media account, promising that the show will be a big one. The Benchmark International Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, will host the event. This marks a change from the previous plan to hold Backlash 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which hosted the event in 2023 to great success.

  • Backlash 2026 will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
  • The event will come just three weeks after WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.

The players

Paul 'Triple H' Levesque

The WWE Chief Content Officer who announced the details of Backlash 2026.

Benchmark International Arena

The home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, which will host Backlash 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Breaking news...”

— Paul 'Triple H' Levesque, WWE Chief Content Officer (Twitter)

What’s next

Fans can expect more details about the Backlash 2026 event, including the match card and ticket information, to be announced in the coming months.

The takeaway

Backlash's return to the WWE calendar in 2026 is a significant event, as the company continues to deliver high-profile pay-per-views to its loyal fanbase. Tampa's hosting of the event further solidifies the city's status as a premier destination for major WWE events.