Lower ticket sales for WrestleMania 42 was “almost exclusively” the reason why WWE experienced a $33.7 million year-over-year decline in live events and hospitality revenue.
The TKO second quarter earnings call took place on August 3, which also saw the parent company of WWE and UFC post its latest financials for shareholders. The results state that live events generated $152 million, down from $185.7 million in the same period last year.
Originally announced for New Orleans, WWE pivoted and chose to return to Las Vegas for the 2026 event after also holding WrestleMania in the city the year prior. WrestleMania 41 generated $66,074,558 in ticket sales across its two nights in 2025, but no figures were reported for this year’s event. The company also received a total of $10 million in incentives to return to Vegas the following year. Operating costs also increased, with costs for Mania 42 and international shows being cited as the main factor.
However, while the promotion saw a decline in live event revenue, there was an increase of more than $80 million in media rights, production and content revenue. For April-June, WWE generated $620.9 million in total revenue, up from the previous year’s $556.2 million during the same quarter. The January to June period for WWE also broke $1 billion in revenue.
A separate filing also discloses the amount the company will pay as part of the settlement in the shareholders’ lawsuit, which reached an agreement in principle. TKO is contributing $105 million to settle the lawsuit. $75 million of that figure is expected to be covered by “probably insurance recoveries,” resulting in an expected loss of $30 million. It is unknown if the former Chairman Vince McMahon will be contributing anything towards this cost. McMahon’s decision to sell WWE to Endeavor and Ari Emmanuel as opposed to getting the best deal for stockholders was a major factor in the lawsuit being filed. The trial was cancelled in June.
Analysis: WWE Claims WrestleMania 42 Was Reason For $33.7 Million Decline
From the moment WWE announced New Orleans wouldn’t be hosting the event in 2026, the company was faced with an uphill battle to try and make Mania 42 a success. WrestleMania’s success is largely down to travelling fans who want to experience the host city as well as the wrestling that is taking place over that weekend. With many having gone to Mania 41 in Vegas, not everyone wanted to return to the same city the following year. Additionally, Vegas is a notoriously expensive city and tickets for Mania were elevated even more to try and capitalise on the buzz.
Unfortunately, with no John Cena to fall back on, a weak build for many of the big matches and excitement at a lower level compared to previous events, this was not the sell out that the company had hoped for.
Featured image: WWE
