Friday Night SmackDown is a professional wrestling television program that is broadcast live every Friday night. It is produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and airs on the Fox network in the United States. SmackDown is WWE’s second longest running weekly television show, just behind Monday Night Raw. It features WWE wrestlers from the SmackDown brand competing in professional wrestling matches and interviews.
Quick Answers
Friday Night SmackDown airs live every Friday at 8 PM EST on Fox.
Friday Night SmackDown can be streamed on Hulu and Peacock the day after it airs.
Friday Night SmackDown tapes at various arenas around the United States.
Where Does Friday Night SmackDown Air?
Friday Night SmackDown airs live every Friday night at 8 PM EST on the Fox broadcast network. Fox has been the home of SmackDown since October 2019 after WWE signed a 5-year contract worth over $200 million per year with Fox.
Prior to airing on Fox, Friday Night SmackDown aired on the Syfy channel from 2010-2015 and then on the USA Network from 2016-2019. SmackDown has been airing on Friday nights consistently since 2003 with a brief move to Tuesday nights in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the live Fox broadcast on Friday nights, SmackDown can also be streamed on digital platforms. It is available to stream on-demand the next day via Hulu and Peacock in the United States.
Fox Broadcast Times
The live Fox broadcast of Friday Night SmackDown airs at:
- 8 PM EST
- 7 PM Central
- 6 PM Mountain
- 5 PM Pacific
So no matter where you are in the United States, you can tune into Fox every Friday night to watch SmackDown live as it happens.
International Broadcasts
Friday Night SmackDown also airs around the world on various channels and streaming platforms including:
- BT Sport in the United Kingdom and Ireland
- Sky Sport in Italy and Germany
- Fox8 in Australia
- WWE Network internationally
Check your local listings for channel availability and broadcast times in your region.
Where is Friday Night SmackDown Taped?
Unlike WWE’s other major weekly show, Monday Night Raw, Friday Night SmackDown does not take place at the same arena every week. Instead, SmackDown emanates live from various arenas around the United States each week.
Some venues that have hosted SmackDown in recent years include:
- Toyota Center in Houston, TX
- Amway Center in Orlando, FL
- Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA
- Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC
- Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN
WWE tours the country each month visiting new cities for their television shows and live events. The city and venue for each week’s episode of SmackDown is announced in advance on WWE’s website and social media.
Occasionally, SmackDown will even air from international locations when WWE is on an overseas tour. Recent international sites have included countries like England, Scotland, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia.
ThunderDome Era Taping
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and into 2021, WWE taped their shows without fans in attendance at the WWE ThunderDome. This was a specialized set created inside Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, Florida that allowed virtual fans to appear on LED boards in the arena via live video.
All episodes of Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown emanated from the WWE ThunderDome for many months until fans could safely return to arenas.
How to Get Friday Night SmackDown Tickets
As Friday Night SmackDown travels to a new city and venue every week for their live broadcast, tickets need to be purchased on an individual basis for each show.
WWE will announce ahead of time when tickets for an upcoming SmackDown event will go on sale. Tickets can be purchased through the arena or venue box office and ticketing websites like Ticketmaster.
Here are some tips for getting Friday Night SmackDown tickets:
- Follow WWE on social media for on-sale announcements
- Sign up for pre-sale opportunities through WWE Ticketmaster
- Look for pre-sale code giveaways from local radio stations
- Join the venue newsletter for first access to tickets
- Buy early for best seat selection
There are often multiple ticket tiers available for SmackDown events ranging from cheaper upper deck seats to expensive ringside tickets. Premier offerings like meet and greets with wrestlers are also sometimes available.
Expected Ticket Cost
Friday Night SmackDown ticket prices typically range from:
- $20 – $100 for regular seating
- $100 – $300 for floor or ringside seats
- $500+ for VIP packages
Of course, prices can fluctuate based on the size and location of the venue and demand. Matches promoted on the show will also impact prices. Special events like the 25th Anniversary of SmackDown in October 2022 have much higher demand.
Other Ways to Watch
In addition to watching Friday Night SmackDown live every Friday night on Fox, there are a few other ways to watch and keep up with the show if you miss it or don’t have access to Fox.
Hulu
SmackDown is available to stream on-demand the next day via Hulu. The Hulu broadcast contains the entire 2-hour live show, minus some commercials. This is a great option to catch up on anything you may have missed from the previous night’s program.
Peacock
Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, also airs Friday Night SmackDown on-demand the day after it airs live. Peacock offers a free tier with ads or paid premium plans without ads and additional WWE content.
YouTube and Social Media
WWE posts highlights and clips from Friday Night SmackDown on their official YouTube channel and social media pages like Facebook and Twitter. This allows you to watch the best moments and matches for free online after the show.
Shorter segments from SmackDown are also shown on WWE programming like Raw Talk and The Bump.
Skippable Ads
The free version of Peacock and Hulu allow you to skip through ads and commercials when watching SmackDown on-demand. So you can breeze through promotional content and jump right back into the wrestling action.
How to Never Miss SmackDown
Here are some expert tips to ensure you never miss an episode of Friday Night SmackDown:
- Set your DVR to record SmackDown every Friday on Fox
- Follow WWE on social media for live updates during the show
- Watch on Fox’s website or app if you don’t have cable
- Stream on Hulu or Peacock to catch up the next day if needed
- Check YouTube and WWE.com for video highlights
With multiple television, digital, and social media options available, it’s easier than ever to stay up to date on all the action from Friday Night SmackDown every week.
Conclusion
Friday Night SmackDown provides fast-paced entertainment and excitement year-round for wrestling fans. Tune in every Friday at 8 PM EST on Fox to watch your favorite WWE superstars compete in the ring live. If you ever miss the broadcast, stream the latest episodes on demand via Hulu or Peacock to catch up.
With a new venue and city each week, SmackDown offers a unique atmosphere and experience. Check WWE’s website for the SmackDown schedule and when tickets will go on sale for an upcoming show near you. Grab your friends and family to enjoy thrilling matches, surprise appearances, and the unpredictable drama that Friday Night SmackDown delivers every week.