WWE and AEW Will Host Competing Chicago Events
Professional wrestling fans face a choice as two major organizations schedule events in Chicago for September 26.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Wrestling
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WWE and AEW are set to hold competing wrestling events in Chicago on September 26, 2026. AEW will host All Out at the NOW Arena, while WWE will present Worlds Collide at the Allstate Arena.
Why it matters
The scheduling conflict forces local fans to choose between two major professional wrestling productions occurring on the same night. The move has drawn criticism from industry veterans regarding the competitive strategy of overlapping in the same market.
AEW announced its All Out event on July 6, 2026, followed 10 days later by WWE's announcement for Worlds Collide. The events will take place at the NOW Arena and Allstate Arena, respectively.
The players
Jim Ross
He is a veteran professional wrestling announcer and personality who hosts the podcast Grilling JR.
Will Ospreay
He is a professional wrestler currently slated to compete for the AEW World Championship.
Jon Moxley
He is a prominent professional wrestler who will challenge for the AEW World Championship.
CM Punk
He is a well-known professional wrestler who is scheduled to make an appearance at the WWE event.
The details
AEW's All Out event will feature an AEW World Championship match between Will Ospreay and Jon Moxley, while WWE's Worlds Collide event is scheduled to include an appearance by CM Punk. Jim Ross criticized the decision to run the shows simultaneously on his podcast, Grilling JR.
Timeline
July 6, 2026: AEW announced the All Out event.
July 16, 2026: WWE announced the Worlds Collide event.
September 26, 2026: Both wrestling events occur in Chicago.
The Big Picture
This story follows a pattern set by the 1980s wrestling territory wars where rival promotions aggressively competed for local market dominance.
Fans in Chicago will have to choose between two distinct card lineups occurring at the NOW Arena and Allstate Arena simultaneously. The overlap effectively splits the local fan base and limits attendance potential for both the AEW World Championship match and the WWE showcase.
The takeaway
The overlapping schedule highlights the ongoing intensity of the modern wrestling landscape. Fans interested in attending should finalize their travel and ticket plans early due to the logistical challenges of having two major events in one city.
Further reading
For more on local matches, check out our coverage of Wrestling.
Live Poll
Do you prefer when rival organizations schedule their major events on the same day?
