WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 Kicks Off in Las Vegas

Full match card, start times, and viewing details for the first night of wrestling's biggest event

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:41pm

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A fragmented, abstract painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in bold primary colors, representing the chaotic action and drama of a professional wrestling match.The cubist, geometric deconstruction of a high-flying WWE wrestling match captures the raw energy and intensity of WrestleMania 42's opening night.Las Vegas Today

The first night of WWE's annual WrestleMania 42 event will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, kicking off the main festivities of the two-night spectacle. The show will open with a highly anticipated match featuring wrestling legend John Cena, leading a stacked card of high-octane in-ring action and entertainment for fans around the world.

Why it matters

WrestleMania is the WWE's marquee annual event, drawing massive global audiences and serving as the culmination of storylines and rivalries that have built up over the preceding year. The first night's lineup will set the tone for the entire weekend and determine several key championship outcomes.

The details

WrestleMania 42 Night 1 will feature a variety of championship matches and high-profile showdowns, including the opening bout headlined by John Cena. Other marquee matchups on the card include the WWE Championship, the Women's Championship, and several tag team title fights.

  • WrestleMania 42 Night 1 will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • The event will begin at 5:00 PM Pacific Time in Las Vegas.

The players

John Cena

A legendary WWE superstar and 16-time world champion, considered by many to be the greatest professional wrestler of all time.

WWE

The premier professional wrestling promotion and entertainment company, hosting its annual flagship event WrestleMania.

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What they’re saying

“WrestleMania is the biggest event in sports entertainment, and we're thrilled to bring the first night of the spectacle to the city of Las Vegas.”

— Stephanie McMahon, Chief Brand Officer, WWE

What’s next

Fans can tune in to watch WrestleMania 42 Night 1 live on pay-per-view and the WWE Network streaming service. Tickets for the in-person event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas are still available.

The takeaway

WrestleMania 42 Night 1 promises to deliver an unforgettable start to wrestling's biggest weekend, with a stacked card of championship matches, high-profile showdowns, and the return of legendary superstar John Cena. Fans around the world will be tuning in to witness the opening salvos of this annual spectacle.