Canelo vs Mbilli in Riyadh on Saturday 31 October 2026: date and tickets
Canelo Álvarez challenges champion Christian Mbilli for the WBC super-middleweight title at The Venue, Riyadh, on Saturday 31 October 2026.
Mexico's Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez returns to the ring in Riyadh to challenge Christian Mbilli for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super-middleweight title on Saturday 31 October 2026 at The Venue, as part of Riyadh Season. The event is billed "Mexico vs. The World", and Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, has announced that tickets are on sale, Arab News reported.
| Dates | Saturday 31 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Main event | Canelo Álvarez v Christian Mbilli for the WBC super-middleweight title |
| Venue | The Venue, Boulevard City, Hittin, Riyadh |
| Tickets | On webook.com, from SAR 50 according to local magazines |
| Broadcast | DAZN pay-per-view |
| Good for | Boxing fans and anyone who enjoys a big fight night |
What's at stake
Mbilli holds the WBC super-middleweight title and will make the first defence of his world title, after his most recent bout ended in a draw with Lester Martinez. Canelo is looking to win back a world title at the weight in his first fight since losing to Terence Crawford in September 2025.
Mbilli became the full champion after Crawford retired, according to specialist boxing media. Neither fighter has ever been knocked out as a professional, according to Arab News.
Riyadh is familiar ground for Canelo: he fought Cuba's William Scull in the Saudi capital on 3 May 2025 and won by unanimous decision. That main event also took place in the early hours of Sunday morning Saudi time, to suit television schedules in the Americas.
The records
- Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez (Mexico, 36): 63 wins (39 by knockout), 3 losses, 2 draws.
- Christian Mbilli (31): 29 wins (24 by knockout), 1 draw, unbeaten.
Why the date changed
The fight was first set for 12 September 2026 in Riyadh, then moved to 31 October. Canelo said a family matter delayed the start of his training camp and was the main reason for the postponement.
As of the end of September, no other bouts had been officially confirmed on the card, with reports saying the rest of the line-up would follow and naming other Mexican fighters who may join the card, none officially confirmed yet. Follow the official channels for the full card and any change to the date.
Tickets and timing
Tickets are sold on webook.com. FACT and LIST magazines report prices from SAR 50 per person, varying by seating category. If you are watching from home, the fight airs on DAZN pay-per-view.
On timing, Boxing Insider reported, citing Alalshikh's announcement, that the main event starts at around 3am Riyadh time, in the early hours of Sunday 1 November. We have not confirmed this from a second official source, so check the booking page before you go.
Around the same weeks
The fight falls in a busy run of sport at Riyadh Season 2026, which opens on Wednesday 21 October. A week earlier, the same hall hosts the Six Kings Slam tennis on 21, 22 and 24 October, and a week later WWE Crown Jewel takes place on Saturday 7 November 2026 at Riyadh Season Stadium in the King Abdullah Financial District.
Tips before you go
- Buy tickets only on webook.com, and read the entry and age conditions on the booking page.
- Expect a long evening; big boxing nights usually run for hours before the main event.
- Arrive early to avoid delays at the entry gates and security checks.
- If you are bringing children, check the minimum age on the booking page before you buy, as each event sets its own rules.
- Arrange your trip home before you leave the house, especially if the main event does start after midnight.
Getting there
The Venue is in the Boulevard City area of Hittin, north-west Riyadh, near Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road.
Book your ride in the Drovox Passenger app, and schedule your ride home ahead of time so a Hero is on the way when the night ends. You can pay by cash, mada, Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, STC Pay or the in-app wallet.
Follow the event's official account for any schedule updates, or the events listings on webook.com.
