A methanation reaction catalyst for methanation by allowing carbon dioxide to react with hydrogen, wherein the methanation reaction catalyst includes a stabilized zirconia support having a tetragonal crystal structure and in which Ca and Ni are incorporated in the crystal structure, and Ni in the metal state supported on the stabilized zirconia support, includes the following in atomic % based on metals in the element state, A) Zr composing the stabilized zirconia support: 6 to 62 atomic %, B) Ca incorporated in the crystal structure: 1 to 20 atomic %, and C) a total of Ni incorporated in the crystal structure and Ni supported on the stabilized zirconia support: 30 to 90 atomic %, and the atomic ratio of Ca/(Zr+Ca) is 0.14 to 0.25.