Hearn Confirms Joshua vs Fury Wembley Talks Reopen After Location Dispute

Promoter Eddie Hearn announced on Friday that negotiations to host the Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury bout at Wembley Stadium have officially resumed.

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 11:41 AM ET, that negotiations have officially reopened to stage the heavyweight bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury at Wembley Stadium in London. This development follows a period where discussions had stalled due to a disagreement regarding the geographic setting of the event. While both athletes previously signed a contract with Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh to face one another, the specific venue remained a point of contention between the involved parties.

Joshua’s existing contract explicitly mandated that the contest must take place within the United Kingdom. Conversely, the Saudi promotion firm Sela and the streaming platform Netflix expressed a preference for the United States to maximize the global broadcast audience. Prior to this shift in negotiations, Madison Square Garden in New York had emerged as the likely host for a scheduled November date. Hearn credited public support for the pivot back to England, stating on social media that the fans have been heard in the effort to make history with one of Britain's largest sporting moments.

Contractual Obligations and Venue Disputes

The friction in recent weeks centered on the conflict between Joshua’s UK-only clause and the commercial interests of international partners. Sela and Netflix sought the North American market to optimize viewership figures, nearly moving the fight away from the fighters' home soil. Tyson Fury had previously indicated his willingness to compete in any location, placing the emphasis on Joshua's contractual requirements to bring the fight to a British ring.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has become a central figure in these renewed discussions, noting that Hearn approached him directly to facilitate the logistics of a London-based event. Khan emphasized that both heavyweights recognize the significance of their domestic fan base. The Mayor acknowledged the financial allure of Madison Square Garden but maintained that the loyalty of British fans justifies keeping the event at Wembley Stadium.

Support from London Leadership

City officials are currently working alongside Hearn’s team to ensure the infrastructure is in place for the Wembley date. Sadiq Khan stated that his office has reached out to relevant stakeholders to signal their readiness to assist in the promotion. He noted that while the money on offer in the United States is significant, the promoters understand the importance of rewarding the local supporters who have followed the careers of both Joshua and Fury.

As of the latest update, ESPN has reached out to Queensberry Promotions, the representatives for Tyson Fury, to obtain a comment on the renewed Wembley talks. While the November timeframe was previously associated with the New York venue, the specific calendar date for the potential Wembley showdown remains a subject of the ongoing discussions.

Heavyweight Division Landscape

This negotiation update arrives amidst a busy period for the heavyweight division, including the scheduling of a title rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley for October. Hearn had previously warned that time was running out to finalize the terms between Joshua and Fury, making the Friday announcement a critical turn in the timeline. The involvement of Turki Alalshikh remains a constant, as the Saudi powerbroker holds the signed agreements that bind the two fighters to the match. The focus now rests on whether the London venue can satisfy the broadcast requirements of Netflix and the promotional goals of Sela while adhering to the legal stipulations found in Joshua's contract.