Record-Breaking WWE 2023 Royal Rumble Numbers Were Artificially Inflated

The 2023 Royal Rumble was quite a memorable night, filled with moments that had the audience at the edge of their seats. The premium live event smashed all-time gate viewership records. It was recently found that the number of tickets sold had been artificially inflated.

The 2023 Royal Rumble took place at the Alamodome in San Antonio on January 28. WWE announced that the premium live event had a record-breaking attendance of 51,338 fans with a $7.7 million gate.

 Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics sent a public records request to the City of San Antonio regarding ticketing details for the 2023 Royal Rumble. It was found out that WWE had exaggerated the amount of tickets sold at the premium live event.

According to WWE, it sold 44,569 tickets for the 2023 Royal Rumble. Ticket audit records on the other hand stated that the number of tickets that were scanned was 42,928 with 2,662 tickets given away for free. Thurston provided emails between WWE and the Alamodome staff, pointing out that the WWE Director of TV Event Relations asked for “anyone with a heartbeat” to be counted.

WWE Director of TV Event Relations (Wed. 25 Jan, 6:55 PM CT):

Hello all, Gathering up all the pertinent information for WWE TV attendance figure for the TV broadcast on Saturday. This is an “asses in the venue” number. If you have a heartbeat we count you.

Therefore, looking for the following information:

1. Total suite capacity for the venue. This would include standing room in the suites and any killed suites on the south end.

2. Total venue staffing number for the venue on site for the show. This would be everyone…venue staff, operations, housekeeping, concessions, security, parking, etc.

Don’t need an answer right now but will need it before Saturday.

Alamodome Event Services Manager (Wed, 25 Jan, 7:06 PM CT):

RE: Royal Rumble total attendance (including staffing) request

We will work on this and have it to you by Friday.

Alamodome Box Officer Manager (Thu, 26 Jan, 1:26 PM CT):

I can speak for the Suite portion of this question…

With suites 1-8 and 45-52 not in use, and the Press Box not being used for Ticketed Patrons (which we do sometimes do for concerts like Elton John and Bad Bunny), the total Suite capacity including SRO’s for Saturday is 694 persons.

WWE Director of TV Event Relations (Thu, 26 Jan, 1:35 PM CT):

What would the total capacity be if suites 1-8 and 45-52 and the press box were fully ticketed?

Alamodome Box Office Manager (Thu, 26 Jan, 1:40 PM CT):

Press box would be 130 and the 8 suites combined including SRO’s would be another 318 persons (130 + 318)

WWE Director of TV Event Relations (Fri, 27 Jan, 10:05 PM CT):

Any update on the total venue staff number for tomorrow’s show for our TV attendance figure?

Alamodome Event Services Manager (Sat, 28 Jan, 6:59 AM CT):

Total number 725 do u need breakdown?

WWE Director of TV Event Relations (Sat, 28 Jan, 7:41 AM CT):

This seems very low. Does this include everyone? Concessions? parking? security? Housekeeping? Ops? Anyone with a heartbeat.

Alamodome Event Services Manager (Sat, 28 Jan, 7:45 AM CT):

Let me check again when all managers arrive. Will get back to you around 9:30am.

Alamodome Event Services Manager (Sat, Jan 28, 7:19 PM CT):

As we discussed earlier the revised number with Traffic, SAPD, Pritchard is 1,280.

Even though the announced ticket figures were inflated, WWE generated $2 million more revenue in ticket sales compared to the 2017 Royal Rumble also held at the Alamodome, despite the lower announced attendance count. For more updates, stay tuned to Ringside News.

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