WWE appears to be planning a significant wrestling weekend centered around the Elimination Chamber premium live event in Chicago in 2026. According to a report from PWInsider, the company intends to host multiple events in the city surrounding the PLE, which is tentatively scheduled for February 28, 2026, at the Allstate Arena.
A Full Weekend Takeover
The strategy includes bringing SmackDown to Chicago the night before the PLE, on Friday, February 27. Beyond that, WWE is reportedly discussing adding even more events to the weekend schedule. Possibilities mentioned include shows featuring the NXT brand and potentially even AAA. The goal, according to the report, is to transform Chicago into a wrestling hub for the weekend, creating a festival-like atmosphere for attending fans.
Competitive Strategy
There’s also a potential competitive element to WWE’s planning. Sources indicate that the February 28 date for Elimination Chamber is not finalized. WWE might move the event a week earlier or later, potentially as a counter-programming move if AEW schedules a competing pay-per-view event around the same time. This aligns with WWE’s recent strategy of holding Premium Live Events on Saturdays, which positions them better against other sports broadcasts and could now be used to directly compete with AEW’s scheduling.
If these plans come to fruition, the Elimination Chamber weekend in Chicago could become one of the most packed wrestling weekends in recent memory. With the potential involvement of WWE main roster stars, NXT talent, and AAA luchadors, coupled with the event’s place on the Road to WrestleMania, the weekend is shaping up to be a major destination for wrestling fans in 2026.
