Saturday Night’s Main Event: Schedule, How to Watch, and Match Card
Few wrestling traditions have bounced between networks and eras quite like Saturday Night’s Main Event. First aired on NBC in May 1985, the special originally pre-empted Saturday Night Live to bring pro wrestling to a mainstream audience. This guide covers everything from start times and streaming platforms to the latest match cards and a look at how the series has evolved across four decades.
First aired: May 11, 1985 ·
Original network: NBC ·
Current streaming: Peacock ·
Revived: 2006, 2024 ·
Total events (as of 2025): 37
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First episode | May 11, 1985 | F4WOnline |
| Original network | NBC | WWE |
| Current streaming | Peacock | Peacock |
| Total episodes (as of 2025) | 37 | Wikipedia |
| Notable hosts | Gene Okerlund, Mean Gene, various WWE personalities | F4WOnline |
Quick snapshot
- Stream live on Peacock in the United States (USA Network)
- Available on WWE Network in other countries (WWE)
- Not available on Netflix or Amazon Prime (Wikipedia)
- Next event scheduled for 2026 (date TBA) (WWE)
- Match card announced shortly before the event (Peacock)
- Start time typically 8 PM ET (USA Network)
- Original run: 1985–1992 (F4WOnline)
- Revived briefly in 2006–2007 (Wikipedia)
- Second revival in 2024 as a Peacock exclusive (Wikipedia)
The pattern: Saturday Night’s Main Event has moved from broadcast television to streaming, and the 2024 revival has made Peacock the exclusive U.S. home, shifting how fans access the special.
What time is Saturday’s night main event?
Saturday Night’s Main Event typically airs at 8:00 PM Eastern Time, but start times can vary by location and platform. For the July 12, 2025 edition, NBC and Peacock both listed the start as 8 p.m. ET. (USA Network)
Typical start times for Saturday Night’s Main Event
The original NBC era often used an 8 p.m. ET slot as well. Revival events in 2024 and 2025 have kept the same window. (F4WOnline)
How to find the exact start time for the next event
WWE typically announces the exact start time on its official event page and through social media channels.
Where can I watch Saturday Night’s main event?
In the United States, Saturday Night’s Main Event streams live on Peacock. It also airs on traditional broadcast television via NBC for some editions. International viewers can access it through the WWE Network in select regions. (Peacock) (USA Network)
Streaming on Peacock
Peacock now holds the exclusive U.S. streaming rights. The service offers live broadcasts and on-demand replays. (Peacock)
Availability on WWE Network
Outside the United States, the WWE Network is the primary streaming home for Saturday Night’s Main Event. The network is available in over 180 countries. (WWE)
Other platforms: Netflix and Amazon Prime
Netflix and Amazon Prime do not currently carry the event. Netflix offers some WWE documentaries but not live specials. (Wikipedia)
Will Saturday Night’s main event be on Netflix?
No, Saturday Night’s Main Event is not available on Netflix as of 2025. Netflix’s WWE library is limited to archival programming and does not include live event rights. (Wikipedia)
Current Netflix WWE content
Netflix carries shows like WWE NXT and selected documentaries under a non-exclusive deal, but the major premium live events and specials remain on Peacock. (WWE)
Why Saturday Night’s Main Event is not on Netflix
The exclusive streaming rights for WWE’s premium live events in the U.S. are held by Peacock under a long-term contract. That agreement also covers Saturday Night’s Main Event. (Peacock)
What is the Saturday Night’s Main Event match card?
Match cards are announced ahead of the event on WWE.com and social media. Recent cards have included championship matches and high-profile grudge bouts. For example, the July 12, 2025 card was headlined by Gunther vs. Goldberg for the World Heavyweight Championship, with LA Knight vs. Seth Rollins, Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre, and Solo Sikoa vs. Jimmy Uso. (Peacock)
Typical match card structure
Each Saturday Night’s Main Event usually features 4–6 matches, mixing championship bouts and story-driven rivalries. The format mirrors a mini pay-per-view but with network television pacing. (F4WOnline)
How to find the full card for the next event
WWE announces match cards roughly two weeks before the event. Fans can visit the official SNME page or follow WWE on YouTube for video breakdowns.
What this means: Fans looking for match announcements can rely on WWE’s digital channels, which provide the most accurate and up-to-date cards before the live broadcast.
When is the next Saturday Night’s Main Event?
The next event is scheduled for 2026, with exact date and location to be announced. WWE typically reveals event dates months in advance on its official channels. (WWE)
Confirmed dates for 2026
As of early 2026, no specific date has been confirmed. The 2025 calendar included events on December 14, 2024, and July 12, 2025, suggesting a quarterly pattern. (Wikipedia)
How to stay updated on future events
Follow WWE’s social media feeds and the official SNME page for announcements. The Peacock blog also posts event previews. (Peacock)
History & Evolution
Saturday Night’s Main Event debuted on May 11, 1985, on NBC, pre-empting Saturday Night Live to bring professional wrestling to a prime-time network audience. The series ran through 1992, producing 37 episodes. (F4WOnline)
The show was revived briefly in 2006–2007 on NBC, and then again in 2024 as a Peacock streaming exclusive. The 2024 revival marked a shift from broadcast to streaming, with the first event from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on December 14, 2024. (Wikipedia)
“SNME’s original concept was to expose wrestling to a broader mainstream audience through network television.” — F4WOnline
“Peacock’s guide described the July 12, 2025 card as headlined by Gunther vs. Goldberg for the World Heavyweight Championship.” — Peacock
Key dates in SNME history
- May 11, 1985 — First episode airs on NBC (F4WOnline)
- 1992 — Original series ends after 37 episodes (Wikipedia)
- 2006–2007 — Short-lived revival on NBC (Wikipedia)
- 2024 — Series revived as a Peacock streaming exclusive (Wikipedia)
- 2026 — Next scheduled event (date TBD) (WWE)
The catch: While the series has returned to prominence, its availability has narrowed: U.S. fans now need a Peacock subscription, a departure from the free broadcast days.
For those planning ahead, our complete 2026 Saturday Nights Main Event schedule guide includes the full match card and ticket details for upcoming specials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saturday Night’s Main Event available on demand after it airs?
Yes, Peacock offers on-demand replays after the live broadcast. (Peacock)
Can I watch Saturday Night’s Main Event on the WWE Network?
In the United States, WWE Network content has merged into Peacock. International users can still access the event via the standalone WWE Network. (WWE)
Are there any live streams outside of Peacock?
No, Peacock holds the exclusive U.S. streaming rights. NBC broadcasts select editions over the air. (USA Network)
How long does a typical Saturday Night’s Main Event last?
Most events run about two hours, including commercials. (F4WOnline)
Do I need a Peacock subscription to watch Saturday Night’s Main Event?
Yes, a Peacock subscription is required for streaming. NBC broadcast editions are free over the air. (Peacock)
Has Saturday Night’s Main Event ever been on Fox or USA Network?
The 2025 summer edition was simulcast on USA Network, but the series originally aired on NBC. Fox has never hosted the event. (USA Network)
What this means: As Saturday Night’s Main Event continues its streaming-focused revival, fans must adapt to a paywalled model, while the series’ history as a broadcast staple underscores the shift in WWE’s distribution strategy.
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