New data shows WWE has lost fans at live events for five straight quarters. The drop started in late 2025 and has continued into 2026.
Attendance trends and the data
A report from UFCcoverage looked at same-market, same-event comparisons. That means they compared WWE shows in the same city and the same type of event from year to year. WWE did well in 2023 and much of 2024, with most returning shows drawing more fans than the year before. But the trend changed in 2025.
Since the second quarter of 2025, more shows have shown negative results than positive ones. The last five quarters of available data show more declines than growth.
| Quarter | Negative | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 15 | 13 |
| 2025 Q4 | 13 | 13 |
| 2026 Q1 | 18 | 11 |
| 2026 Q2 | 6 | 3 |
Recent shows that fell short
UFCcoverage gave several recent examples of shows that sold fewer tickets than the same event the year before. These include big TV shows after WrestleMania and other major dates.
Examples from April and May 2026 include:
- April 6 Raw in Houston: 13% fewer fans than the same show in 2025.
- April 10 SmackDown: 6% fewer fans than the year before.
- Raw after WrestleMania in Las Vegas: 26% fewer fans.
- April 24 SmackDown: 11% fewer fans than the prior year.
Ticket counts shared on social media also show lower availability and more empty seats at some arenas:
WWE Friday Night SmackDown — Fri May 01, 2026, BOK Center, Tulsa, OK. Available Tickets: 1,008. Current Setup: 7,241. Tickets Distributed: 6,233. — UFCcoverage (WrestleTix data)
WWE Monday Night RAW — Mon May 04, 2026, CHI Health Center Omaha, Omaha, NE. Available Tickets: 509. Current Setup: 9,374. Tickets Distributed: 8,865. — UFCcoverage (WrestleTix data)
Why fans may be staying away
There are two main reasons fans give. First, ticket prices have gone up a lot. Many WWE fans are middle-class families. Higher prices make it hard for them to buy tickets for live shows.
Second, many fans say the TV shows feel boring and predictable. They point to frequent ad breaks during broadcasts and storylines that feel weak. If a live show feels like watching ads and scripted segments, some fans decide not to go.
How WWE and TKO could respond
UFCcoverage suggests simple fixes. Lower ticket prices to make shows affordable for families. Give creative control back to the people who can build better stories and more excitement. Fans returned after big creative changes before; similar choices could bring them back now.
WWE should be strong after WrestleMania with top stars and new talent moving up. If tarps and empty seats keep returning, the company risks losing the momentum it built in 2023–2024.
