WrestleMania 42: ESPN Air Dates and Coverage From Las Vegas

  • Opening hour of WrestleMania 42 on both Saturday and Sunday available on ESPN linear networks
  • Onsite Kickoff and Countdown shows, SportsCenter, First Take and the No-Contest Wrestling podcast hit the road for WrestleMania

ESPN will deliver comprehensive on-site coverage of WrestleMania 42 from Las Vegas, Nev., beginning Thursday, April 16, culminating with WrestleMania 42 Nights 1 and 2 live from Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19.

WrestleMania 42, along with the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and select pre-event and post-event programming, will stream exclusively in the U.S. on the ESPN App and be available to fans with an ESPN Unlimited plan — either directly or through a traditional pay TV package. For the first time ever, the opening hour of both nights of WrestleMania will be live on ESPN linear networks, with Night 1 beginning Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and Night 2 starting Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN, ahead of full event coverage streaming on the ESPN App. Additional coverage throughout WrestleMania week will be available across ESPN platforms, including ESPN, ESPN2 and the ESPN App.

On Saturday, WrestleMania 42 Night 1’s opening hour on ESPN2 features a six‑man tag team match between LA KnightJey Uso and Jimmy Uso against Logan PaulAustin Theory and IShowSpeed, along with an Unsanctioned Match between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu. Night 1’s main event — the Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes (c) and Randy Orton — will stream exclusively on the ESPN App.

On Sunday, WrestleMania 42 Night 2’s opening hour on ESPN includes Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar and an Intercontinental Championship ladder match featuring Penta (c), Je’Von EvansDragon LeeJD McDonaghRusev and Rey Mysterio. Night 2’s main event — the World Heavyweight Championship match between CM Punk (c) and Roman Reigns — will stream exclusively on the ESPN App.

The full WrestleMania 42 match card and viewing schedule can be found here.

Throughout WrestleMania week, ESPN will originate studio programming and live events from key locations across Las Vegas, including WWE World, Toshiba Plaza, Allegiant Stadium and Dolby Live at Park MGM. SportsCenter coverage will be led on site by Randy ScottGary StriewskiTreavor Scales and Joe Fortenbaugh, delivering live reporting, fan engagement and behind the scenes storytelling throughout the week. Scott, Striewski and Scales will explore WWE World and fan experiences across Las Vegas and will interview and talk with WWE Superstars on site, while Scales and Fortenbaugh will be positioned for post-match coverage and reaction throughout WrestleMania weekend. First Take will originate from Las Vegas as part of ESPN’s on-site coverage, featuring Shae CornetteStephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins live Friday, April 17, at 10 a.m. from Allegiant Stadium.

Coverage also includes No Contest Wrestling, hosted by O’Shea Jackson Jr. and TJ Jefferson, airing Thursday and Friday at 2 p.m. on ESPN2 during WrestleMania week, alongside the WrestleMania 42 Kickoff Show, Countdown to WrestleMania 42, Nights 1 and 2 of WrestleMania and the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

WWE Superstars will appear across ESPN platforms throughout WrestleMania week, with dozens of guest appearances spanning SportsCenterFirst TakeGet UpUnsportsmanlikeNo‑Contest Wrestling, ESPN Deportes programming and ESPN Social. Appearances throughout the week will include some of WWE’s biggest names, including Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, Rhea RipleySeth RollinsCharlotte FlairAJ LeeLiv MorganBecky LynchTrick WilliamsJade CargillDominik Mysterio and Drew McIntyre, among others, leading into WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.

Additionally, Joe TessitorePeter Rosenberg and Big E will be featured in studio on ESPN platforms as part of WrestleMania week programming.

As part of ESPN’s broader WrestleMania week presence in Las Vegas, ESPN will also deliver a series of immersive on-site fan experiences designed to bring fans closer to WrestleMania. Activations include a WWE themed wedding experience marrying WWE superfans in ceremonies officiated by WWE Superstar The Miz, as well as interactive installations within WWE World. Fans will be able to enter through a co-branded ESPN and WWE Tunnel Entrance, transforming WWE World into an immersive celebration of ESPN as the home of WrestleMania and WWE Premium Live Events. Additional experiences include a Top Rope Leap photo activation, allowing fans to jump from the ropes into a landing pad in their favorite wrestling pose, with digital photos captured and turned into collectible trading cards in collaboration with Topps.

Additional coverage, including previews and on-site reporting, will roll out across ESPN.com during WrestleMania week.

ESPN WrestleMania 42 programming schedule

DateShow/EventWhere to WatchTime (ET)
Thursday, April 16 SportsCenterESPN / ESPN2All editions
No-Contest Wrestling podcastESPN22 p.m.
Friday, April 17 SportsCenterESPN / ESPN2All editions
First TakeESPN10 a.m.
No-Contest Wrestling podcastESPN22 p.m.
WrestleMania 42 Kickoff ShowESPN25 p.m.
2026 WWE Hall of Fame InductionESPN App*12 a.m.
Saturday, April 18 SportsCenter: AMESPN8 a.m.
Countdown to WrestleMania 42ESPN App3 p.m.
Countdown to WrestleMania 42ESPN2 / ESPN App*5 p.m.
WrestleMania 42, Night 1 (First Hour)ESPN2 / ESPN App*6-7 p.m.
WrestleMania 42, Night 1ESPN App*7 p.m.
WrestleMania 42 Post ShowESPN App*10 p.m.
SportsCenterESPN11 p.m.
Sunday, April 19 SportsCenter: AMESPN7 a.m.
Countdown to WrestleMania 42ESPN App*3 p.m.
Countdown to WrestleMania 42ESPN / ESPN App*5 p.m.
WrestleMania 42, Night 2 (First Hour)ESPN / ESPN App*6-7 p.m.
WrestleMania 42, Night 2ESPN App*7 p.m.
WrestleMania 42 Post ShowESPN App*10 p.m.
SportsCenterESPN12 a.m.

*Available only to ESPN Unlimited plan subscribers.


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