Follow on Google News WWE SmackDown is set to temporarily leave USA Network next month, a short-term scheduling change that will impact two consecutive Friday night episodes during an important stretch of WWE programming. The move is directly tied to broader network priorities and does not reflect any creative or format shift for the show.
The adjustment happens as NBCUniversal prepares for expanded Winter Olympics coverage. The 2026 Winter Games, hosted across Lombardy and Northeast Italy, run from February 6 through February 22, with USA Network committed to full-time Olympic programming throughout that window.
That Olympic coverage creates a direct clash with SmackDown’s regular Friday night slot. The show typically airs live from 8 to 11 p.m. ET, and those prime-time hours will be occupied on two key Fridays while the Olympics are underway.
SmackDown recently returned to a three-hour format at the start of 2026, and reports indicate that format will continue for the next several months. This temporary network change does not affect the show’s length or start time in any way.
WWE’s live touring schedule remains unchanged despite the broadcast shift. The February 13 episode will take place at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, while FLA Live Arena in Fort Lauderdale, Florida will host the February 20 broadcast.
Fans attending either show will experience the event as usual. Nothing changes inside the arenas, and ticket holders should not expect any differences. The adjustment only affects where viewers watch at home, not the live presentation.
SyFy Steps In as SmackDown’s Temporary Home
WWE SmackDown will air on SyFy on February 13 and February 20, according to a USA Network spokesperson. Both episodes will keep the familiar 8 to 11 p.m. ET time slot and continue with the three-hour format currently in place.
This arrangement keeps SmackDown within the NBCUniversal family, avoiding any move to an outside partner. SyFy functions as a temporary home while USA Network dedicates its schedule to Olympic coverage.
SmackDown is scheduled to return to USA Network on February 27. That episode will air from Kentucky and will serve as the go-home show for the Elimination Chamber premium live event, which takes place the following night.
Industry coverage has described the move as a brief stopover, not a long-term shift. Multiple outlets emphasize that this is a two-week adjustment tied exclusively to the Olympics, rather than an experiment or trial run.
The timing places two key SmackDown episodes on SyFy during the build to Elimination Chamber. How WWE advances those storylines across these shows will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.
For viewers, the process is straightforward. Watch SmackDown on SyFy on February 13 and February 20, then switch back to USA Network on February 27. Everything else about the show remains the same.
What do you think about SmackDown temporarily moving to SyFy during the Winter Olympics? Share your thoughts in the comments and keep following The Wrestling Reports for all the latest WWE news and updates.