Where is WWE SmackDown tonight? (January 3, 2025): Location, time, match card, and more

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown will be a special one that fans shouldn’t miss out on. Not only will it be the first show of the company in 2025, but also the first three-hour episode of the brand since its creation and the final episode before RAW officially debuts on Netflix.

The January 3, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown will take place at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. It has a capacity of up to 17,716, and is the home of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.

The arena has been the home of several weekly shows like RAW, SmackDown, ECW, Main Event, 205 Live, and more of the Stamford-based promotion since 1998. It was also the location of several Premium Live Events like the 2003 SummerSlam, 2006 Judgment Day, 2012 Money in the Bank, 2013 Royal Rumble, and more. The last time the company held a show at the Footprint Center was on the March 30, 2023, episode of Main Event.

WWE Friday Night SmackDown: Venue and Timing

City: Phoenix, Arizona

Venue: Footprint Center

Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Time, 7 p.m. Central Time, 5 p.m. Pacific Time

Where to get tickets for tonight’s Friday Night SmackDown episode?

Fans interested in watching the action live can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster. A single ticket ranges from $35 to $1,700 while two tickers range from $35 to $350.

What to expect for the first WWE SmackDown of 2025?

Although many are looking forward to next week’s WWE RAW since it will mark the premiere of the brand on Netflix, fans also have a lot to look forward to tonight. Since the episode is now three hours, more matches and surprises can happen. However, only two bouts are scheduled as of this writing.

Andrade has been hunting for the United States Championship on WWE SmackDown. He previously failed to capture the title when LA Knight was holding it, but now he aims to turn his luck around against Shinsuke Nakamura. In the upcoming episode, both men will have a singles match and if the challenger wins, he will be next in line to challenge The King of Strong Style for the title.

Nia Jax has successfully defended the Women’s Championship in 2024. In recent months, Naomi has emerged as her new challenger. The Glow has replaced Jade Cargill as the Women’s Tag Team Champion with Bianca Belair. Tonight, the former SmackDown Women’s Champion has a chance to get her gold as she goes against The Irresistible Force for Women’s title.

Cody Rhodes is also advertised to appear tonight on WWE SmackDown. It will be interesting to see what The American Nightmare has in store as his feud with Kevin Owens continues to heat up.