Reason Behind AEW Avoiding Smaller Venues Despite Attendance Struggles

Since its debut in 2019, AEW has experienced tremendous growth, quickly establishing itself as a major force in the pro wrestling industry. However, since All Out 2021, the company has faced mounting challenges, particularly with declining attendance at live events. This issue has led to a broader discussion about whether AEW should reconsider the size of venues they book for their shows.

One of the primary concerns raised by critics is the use of large arenas that, when sparsely filled, result in unappealing visuals and further highlight attendance issues. Despite this, AEW continues to book these larger venues, even though ticket sales have struggled to keep pace.

According to Fightful Select, AEW chooses not to scale down to smaller venues for several reasons. The promotion prioritizes factors like venue amenities, accessibility, parking availability, and the ability to expand seating as needed. They also factor in the effectiveness of mailing lists and the adequacy of concession staff when deciding on event locations.

“I’ve asked about this a number of times and I’ve been given a number of reasons they book the venues they do. It’s very common for music acts to book large venues and curtain them off as well. Amenities, how nice the venue is, ease of access, parking, mailing lists, the ability to open up additional sections, concession staff are all reasons AEW chooses to run bigger venues”

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However, some within the wrestling community worry that AEW’s current attendance issues could mirror WCW’s decline in 2000, raising concerns about the promotion’s long-term viability. Fans and insiders alike have speculated that shifting to smaller, more intimate venues might alleviate some of these issues and create a better atmosphere for live events.

What do you think about AEW continuing to book large venues despite attendance challenges? Should they opt for smaller venues to create a better experience for fans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!