The grandest stage of them all is making adjustments to its schedule well in advance of its highly anticipated weekend in Las Vegas. With just a couple of months remaining until the massive event, WWE has officially updated the listed start time for WrestleMania 42 on its website, moving it significantly earlier in the afternoon.
Earlier Start Could Mean Extended Kickoff or More Matches
WrestleMania 42 is scheduled to take place across two nights on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The newly listed start time on WWE’s official website is 2:30 PM Pacific Time, a noticeable shift from the previously advertised 4:00 PM local time slot. Currently, the company has not clarified whether this 2:30 PM block represents the beginning of the main pay-per-view card or the start of the pre-show Kickoff broadcast.
In recent years, WWE has utilized the Kickoff show as a major platform to build last-minute hype, often running the pre-show panel and matches for at least two hours prior to the main event. If the 2:30 PM time indicates the start of the Kickoff, fans heading to Allegiant Stadium are in for a massive day of wrestling. Conversely, this schedule adjustment could hint at a broader creative shift regarding the structure of the show.
Since transitioning to a two-night format, WWE has consistently featured around seven matches on each night to maintain a brisk pace and avoid audience burnout. An earlier start time for the main card could potentially mean the company plans to feature more matches on the premium live event. As of now, the card is just beginning to take shape, with only two blockbuster bouts officially confirmed: Roman Reigns taking on CM Punk, and Women’s Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan challenging Stephanie Vaquer.