Mayweather-Pacquiao II moving out of Sphere, to remain in Las Vegas – Sources

The proposed 2026 rematch between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao is being relocated from The Sphere to an MGM-affiliated venue in Las Vegas, according to multiple reports. The highly anticipated second bout may also see its target date shift from September 19 to mid-August amid ongoing disputes regarding the rules of the contest.

Initial reports in February indicated the two former champions were expected to meet at The Sphere over a decade after their 2015 clash. However, BoxingScene reports that the event is now targeting either the T-Mobile Arena or the MGM Grand Garden Arena. An anonymous official noted that staging the event at The Sphere was illogical because the venue lacks a direct casino connection, which is crucial for the high-roller ticket packages routinely offered across MGM properties during fight weeks.

The official explicitly warned ticket buyers to avoid brokers advertising seats at The Sphere, stating definitively that the fight will not take place there. The date is also subject to change, as the T-Mobile Arena is currently booked for an iHeartRadio event on September 19. August 15 has been suggested by an official as a viable alternative date for the rescheduled bout. Officials from Madison Square Garden, which owns The Sphere, and MGM did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the venue change.

Netflix Pivots Amid Event Uncertainty

Fundamental disagreements between the two camps have cast significant doubt on the fight proceeding. Mayweather has publicly stated the bout would be an exhibition, while Pacquiao maintains it must be a sanctioned professional contest. Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn characterized the situation to Fight Hype as a “mess” and criticized Netflix’s premature involvement. Hearn expressed surprise that the platform got involved in the “circus” of the announcement without confirmed contracts, suggesting it does not look good for a new boxing broadcaster.

Netflix had committed to broadcasting Mayweather-Pacquiao II, but with the event faltering, the network is moving to slot in a replacement. Hearn reports that Netflix is now planning to broadcast a fight between Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia, scheduled for September 12. Meanwhile, Mayweather has officially announced via social media that he will face Mike Zambidis in an exhibition bout on June 27 in Athens, Greece.

Pacquiao, 47, recently fought Mario Barrios to a 12-round majority draw for the WBC welterweight title in July 2025 at the MGM Grand. Mayweather, 49, retired with a perfect 50-0 record and continues to pursue exhibition opportunities.

Going forward, representatives for both fighters must resolve the ongoing dispute regarding the bout’s professional sanctioning before a formal venue change or revised August date can be finalized.