2026 Royal Rumble Betting Tips
One of the standout events of the WWE calendar comes our way this weekend as the Royal Rumble takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, January 31.
The standout matches are of course the men’s and women’s Royal Rumbles, which feature 30 wrestlers entering the ring at 90-second intervals, where eliminations can only take place when a competitor is thrown over the top rope and both feet touch the floor. Whoever is the last wrestler standing earns a world championship match at Wrestlemania 42.
Meanwhile, AJ Styles puts his career on the line against “The Ring General” Gunther, who just last month defeated John Cena in the GOAT’s last-ever match. WWE champion Drew McIntyre also puts the belt on the line against Sami Zayn.
Who will have their arm raised when one of the most exciting nights in sports entertainment reaches its conclusion? Let’s dive into our expert Royal Rumble 2026 best bets.
Tip 1 - Roman Reigns to win the Men’s Royal Rumble @ 4/5
This is arguably one of the most open men’s Royal Rumbles in years, with no clear superstar primed to win the match and go on to headline Wrestlemania. However, the current betting favourite is Roman Reigns and we’re inclined to agree with the market.
Reigns has not held a world championship since Wrestlemania 40, when his historic four-year title reign came to an end at the hands of Cody Rhodes.
However, the seeds have been sown for a return to the championship picture for the Tribal Chief, with a match against reigning World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk looking likely.
Meanwhile, there are holes that can be picked in Reigns’ market rivals. For starters, second-favourite Sami Zayn already has a WWE Championship match against Drew McIntyre scheduled, so it would be a surprise if Zayn pulled double duty, let alone won the Royal Rumble.
Bron Breakker has been feuding with CM Punk, but has also already lost a world championship match to him and looks more likely to meet Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania if Rollins’ shoulder injury is healed in time.
Reigns is a short price for a 30-man match, but still looks to be the best bet.
Tip 2 - Bianca Belair to win the Women’s Royal Rumble @ 7/10
Looking at the women’s Royal Rumble, it appears to be a two-horse race between Bianca Belair and Liv Morgan. This makes sense, as there has been a clear build towards Belair facing former tag team partner and reigning WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill at Wrestlemania, while Morgan looks set to battle Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer at the flagship event.
However, preference is for Belair, who previously won the Royal Rumble five years ago and seems a better fit to win this sort of match and really establish the build towards her and Cargill now. Morgan is likely to set up her championship match next month at the Elimination Chamber event.
Tip 3 - Gunther to beat AJ Styles @ 1/5
This is an incredibly skinny price but there’s an argument to be made that it should be even shorter.
For starters, since joining the main WWE roster in 2022, Gunther has lost only three matches. He has been booked to be virtually unbeatable, and in the past couple of years has successfully retired Goldberg and John Cena.
AJ Styles looks destined to join that list, with the 48-year-old doing little to hide the fact that his career is winding down. The past few months have seen Styles face old foes from his past and even appear in the company he helped build, TNA Wrestling.
With his career on the line, it makes sense that he would go out on a high at a star-studded event and to a wrestler who is building a name for himself as a career killer.
It would be an almighty shock if Gunther lost to Styles and it feels virtually unfathomable with all things considered.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
