WWE Friday Night SmackDown returns to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 6:30 PM CT, as Dickies Arena in Fort Worth plays host to the blue brand’s biggest episode of the spring. This is the first SmackDown after WrestleMania 42—the show where championships change hands, alliances shatter, and the entire WWE landscape transforms overnight. Officially announced on February 26, 2026, this date leads an eleven-show slate of new post-WrestleMania tour stops, and DFW fans get the honor of kicking off the SmackDown side of that run.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is one of the most passionate wrestling markets in the country, with a legacy stretching from the WCCW territory days of the Von Erich family through decades of marquee WWE events at the American Airlines Center, AT&T Stadium, and now Dickies Arena. SmackDown’s current roster features blockbuster talent including Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, The Bloodline, and Bayley—all competing on the USA Network every Friday night.
WrestleMania 42 takes place April 18–19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, featuring headliner matches like CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer. Just five days later, the SmackDown Superstars arrive in North Texas carrying the weight of everything that went down on The Grandest Stage of Them All. Post-WrestleMania shows consistently deliver surprise NXT debuts, emotional returns, and the first shots fired in summer’s biggest feuds. The DFW crowd—known for being among the loudest in WWE—will play a starring role in setting the tone for this new chapter.
Dickies Arena, located in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, seats 14,000 for center-stage events and offers a modern, intimate experience with exceptional sightlines, premium clubs, and concert-hall acoustics. For Dallas-area fans, the arena is approximately 35 minutes from downtown Dallas via I-30. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 6, with a presale on Thursday, March 5. Find verified resale tickets at all-inclusive prices on BigStub—browse the listings below to secure your seats for this blockbuster night of SmackDown.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area holds a unique place in professional wrestling history. In the 1980s, the region was home to World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), the legendary territory run by Fritz Von Erich and made famous by his sons Kerry, Kevin, David, Mike, and Chris. WCCW’s television show, World Class Championship Wrestling, was one of the first wrestling programs syndicated nationally and helped pave the way for the national expansion of professional wrestling. The Von Erichs became some of the most beloved figures in the sport, and their legacy still resonates deeply with DFW fans today.
In the modern era, the Metroplex has hosted some of WWE’s biggest events, including WrestleMania 32 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington (2016), which drew a then-record 101,763 fans, as well as the 2021 Money in the Bank at Dickies Arena and multiple episodes of Raw and SmackDown at the American Airlines Center and other area venues. North Texas audiences bring an energy that reflects decades of deep wrestling culture, making every WWE show in the DFW area feel like a premium event.
The blue brand’s SmackDown roster features its own exclusive championships and Superstars. The Undisputed WWE Championship and WWE Women’s Championship anchor the main event scene, with mid-card titles and tag team competition rounding out two hours of must-see programming every Friday night. The ongoing Bloodline saga—featuring Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu—has been one of the most compelling long-form storylines in wrestling, while the women’s division features championship-caliber athletes like Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Bayley. The post-WrestleMania reset will shuffle the deck, potentially bringing new champions, brand crossovers, and the debut of NXT’s brightest prospects.
Dickies Arena is located at 1911 Montgomery Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107, within the Will Rogers Memorial Center campus. For fans traveling from Dallas, the most direct route is I-30 West, which takes approximately 35–45 minutes depending on traffic. From Arlington, the drive is roughly 20 minutes via I-30 West. DFW International Airport is approximately 25 minutes east of the arena.
On-site parking is available at the Chevrolet Garage, a 2,200-space structure south of the arena accessible from Trail Drive. Additional surface lots are located across Trail Drive. Rideshare pickup and drop-off zones are conveniently placed near the arena entrances. For those preferring not to drive, consider coordinating with carpool groups—DFW wrestling fans are well-connected through local social media communities and fan groups.
WWE Friday Night SmackDown takes place on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 6:30 PM CT at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. This is the first SmackDown episode following WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
WWE rotates venues across the DFW Metroplex. While many events are held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Dickies Arena in Fort Worth has emerged as a premier WWE venue since hosting the 2021 Money in the Bank pay-per-view. The 14,000-seat arena’s modern design and production capabilities make it an ideal fit for televised WWE events.
Dickies Arena is approximately 35 to 45 minutes from downtown Dallas via I-30 West, depending on traffic conditions. From Arlington, the drive is roughly 20 minutes. DFW International Airport is about 25 minutes east of the venue.
General public tickets go on sale Friday, March 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM local time through Ticketmaster. A presale begins Thursday, March 5 at 10:00 AM. Verified resale tickets are available on BigStub with all-inclusive pricing.
Yes—it is the very first SmackDown after WrestleMania 42 (April 18–19, Las Vegas). Post-WrestleMania shows are historically among the most exciting of the year, featuring surprise debuts, championship fallout, returning legends, and major storyline pivots.
The 2026 SmackDown roster includes Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, Solo Sikoa and the Bloodline, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, Bayley, Kevin Owens, and many more. Specific match cards are announced closer to each event date.
WWE Friday Night SmackDown airs live on the USA Network every Friday at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT. Fans in the building at Dickies Arena experience every match and segment live as it broadcasts nationally.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area was home to World Class Championship Wrestling in the 1980s, one of the most beloved wrestling territories ever. The Von Erich family became cultural icons, and the region has since hosted WrestleMania 32 at AT&T Stadium (101,763 fans), Money in the Bank 2021, and countless Raw, SmackDown, and live event dates.
No. BigStub is an independent resale marketplace not affiliated with WWE. We connect fans with verified sellers offering authentic tickets at competitive, all-inclusive prices with buyer protection on every transaction.
Yes. The Chevrolet Garage offers 2,200 parking spaces on-site, accessible from Trail Drive. Additional surface lots surround the venue. Rideshare pickup and drop-off zones are also available. Arriving early is recommended, especially for high-demand events.
Dickies Arena features 75 concession points of sale with a wide variety of food and beverage options. Two premium entertainment clubs offer upscale dining and drink service for guests with premium tickets. No outside food or beverages are permitted.
Doors typically open 60 to 90 minutes before event time. For a 6:30 PM start, plan to arrive by 5:00 PM. This allows time for parking, clearing security, and getting to your seats. Arriving early also means you may catch pre-show dark matches before the televised broadcast begins.
See WWE live at Dickies Arena!