WrestleMania Record Shows WWE’s Popularity Surging Ahead Of Merger

WWE’s popularity could be at an all-time high as the company closes in on a $9.3 billion merger with the UFC.

Tickets for WrestleMania 40 broke the all-time WWE gate record of $21.5 million less than 24 hours after going on sale Friday, WWE sources confirmed to Front Office Sports. More than 90,000 tickets have been sold for the two-day event at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field in April 2024.

The previous gate record was just set this spring at Wrestlemania 39 over two days at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Given that WrestleMania 40 won’t begin for nearly eight months, those ticket and gate records could be pushed even higher.

By mid-to-late-September, WWE is expected to be fully merged with the UFC as the newly formed TKO Holdings, which will be majority-owned by Endeavor. 

WWE’s most recent quarterly revenue was up 25% year-over-year at $410.3 million, but Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel has nevertheless hinted at potential layoffs as the two fighting units come together.

At the top of WWE’s agenda right now is negotiating new media rights deals for its SmackDown and Raw properties. Its current contracts with USA Network and Fox expire in 2024.

To The Octagon

The UFC broke the gate record at Salt Lake City’s Delta Center for UFC 291 last month, bringing in more than $6.5 million and over 18,00 fans in attendance.