For the first time in its history, WWE will expand SummerSlam into a two-night stadium spectacle, with the 2025 edition scheduled for August 2 and 3 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The strategic shift is designed to elevate the event to a scale comparable to WrestleMania, a move made possible by substantial local financial support and the creative freedom to build a deeper, more star-studded card.
The decision directly follows a successful template established by WrestleMania, which permanently adopted a two-day format in 2021. That model proved advantageous by allowing for a larger card, giving more superstars a prominent spot while preventing fan burnout from a single, lengthy show.
WWE had initially announced that the 2026 event in Minneapolis would be the first two-night SummerSlam, but advanced the timeline for the 2025 show.
A crucial factor in enabling this expansion was a significant local investment. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) committed $7.125 million in federal funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan to help secure the event. With that backing, the NJSEA projects that the two-night SummerSlam will generate an $80 million economic impact for the region, justifying the larger scale to maximize the return.
The expanded format allows WWE to build a card with a level of depth typically reserved for WrestleMania. Eight matches are already confirmed, featuring multiple main-event caliber attractions. The Undisputed WWE Championship will be on the line as John Cena defends against Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight, while the World Heavyweight Championship match will see Gunther face CM Punk.
Other notable bouts, such as a Steel Cage match between Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu and the in-ring debut of musician Jelly Roll, underscore the company’s ability to turn the event into a destination weekend for fans.