AEW concluded 2024 with three shows at the Hammerstein Ballroom and plans to shift to smaller venues in 2025 due to declining ticket sales.
Chris Jericho supports this strategy, emphasizing its benefits during an interview with Z100’s Josh Martinez. He highlighted that smaller venues increase demand, enhance fan atmosphere, and improve TV presentation.
Jericho explained that downsizing avoids overextending and creates a “cool factor” by fostering ticket scarcity, making the product more exclusive and appealing. He also noted the importance of maintaining excitement and energy, which smaller venues naturally amplify.
Jericho, who successfully defended his ROH World Title at Final Battle during the Hammerstein run, believes this pivot will keep AEW dynamic and engaging for fans.
Here’s what Y2J said:
“The worst thing you can ever do, in any business, is overprice yourself or overextend yourself. We’re at a place where, to go to some of the middle-sized venues, not in every city, but in some of them, it’s a very smart move for many reasons, but most importantly, the vibe of the fans.
You want to put 10,000 people into an arena, and if you can, you do. If you’re down to 5,000, but you go to a 4,000-seat arena, it increases demand and makes the show more exciting and translates better on TV.
If you have this many tickets for sale and they’re gone, it makes the product hotter, and you continue to grow.”
Saturday’s episode of AEW Collision at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City was sold out, with all 1,491 tickets distributed, according to WrestleTix.
This marks a rare and significant milestone for All Elite Wrestling amid challenges filling arenas for their TV shows over the past year.
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