WrestleMania XXX Heads South, Along With Ticket Prices
Ticket Demand for WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans
The greatest spectacle in sports entertainment is descending on The Big Easy this year, and there’s still one week left for fans to grab tickets for a front row seat to WrestleMania XXX at Nola’s Mercedes-Benz Superdome on April 6. The WWE Championship will be on the line in a triple threat match, though the final member of the lineup to face champion Randy Orton and challenger Batista (one of the Guardians of the Galaxy) won’t be determined until the big night itself.
Former champ turned Authority Triple H will be facing indie icon and fan darling Daniel Bryan on the undercard with a shot at the title on the line. And, in the what could be the final installment in the biggest WrestleMania tradition of all, The Undertaker will take on former NFL lineman, UFC star, NCAA wrestling champion, and one-man wrecking crew Brock Lesnar.
The Dead Man’s undefeated record at WrestleMania is at stake, and many believe it’ll be the long-time veteran’s final appearance as a competitor at the WWE’s landmark annual event. We’re not too far removed from Mardi Gras, and everyone knows how loud the Superdome can get for Saints home games, so if Taker’s going out, he’s chosen a pretty cool spot for a retirement party (or burial, or whatever).
Despite the nice, even number 30, Undertaker’s finale, and the triple threat excitement, the average ticket price for this year’s WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans is down 37% from a year ago. WrestleMania 29 was held in the NY/NJ metro area at MetLife Stadium and drew an average ticket price of $272. This year’s $171 average is much more in line with the $161 fans paid to attend WrestleMania 28 in Miami at Sun Life Stadium back in 2012.
Compared to other recent events at the Superdome, WrestleMania is more expensive than both the 2012 and 2013 Sugar Bowls ($157 and $143 average ticket prices, respectively) but is more affordable than an average Saints home game ($189) and One Direction’s tour stop on September 25 later this year ($209). Next year’s WrestleMania 31 will be at the new home of the 49ers, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. It’ll mark the third straight year for WrestleMania at a perennial NFC contender (Giants, Saints, Niners), which is more an interesting coincidence rather than a predictor of NFL success.
One final piece of hype surrounding this year’s event – it officially ushers in the pay-per-view benefit of WWE’s recently launched network. With a minimum subscription of six months, wrestling fans now have online access to the a vast archive of old matches and can stream the current PPV events for no extra charge. This model has shaken up delivery of live sporting events; while it may not seem like a big deal for the ticket market of a once-a-year industry-defining event, think about how changes to the NBA, NFL, or MLB networks could affect sporting events that happen more regularly.
Overall attendance may not drop, but if demand is lowered because HD access at home is cheaper and more comprehensive, it could remove demand – and therefore, dollars – from secondary demand to some portion of the overall league schedule. Some critics of the WWE knock wrasslin’ for not being real; trust us, the technological and marketing advances made by the new WWE network could have very real, long-lasting effects on the ticket market for your favorite sports teams. Stay tuned, and stay focused… you never know when a shot from a metal folding chair could be coming!
WrestleMania 30 Tickets
Average WrestleMania XXXAFC Ticket Prices
Prices have fallen 32% on average over the last two and a half weeks, so fans still looking for tickets can expect to find the best deals on tickets in the last week before the event. Upper-deck tickets can be had for as little as $19 right now, while lower-level seats start at $98. To grab a floor seat, you’ll need at least $219. For prime floor seats, we’ve seen some fans spend more than $10,000 per ticket!
Famous WrestleMania Moments
Undertaker Chokeslams Brock Lesnar Before Wrestlemania XXX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb2yY4xmuwM
