AEW Shifts Strategy for 2025 with Smaller Venues to Enhance Fan Experience

AEW wrapped up 2024 with three straight shows at the iconic Hammerstein Ballroom, including ROH Final Battle on December 20, AEW Collision on December 21, and AEW Dynamite on December 22. With ticket sales declining compared to previous years, the company is pivoting to smaller, more intimate venues for 2025—a strategy Chris Jericho believes is a smart move.

Speaking with Josh Martinez on Z100, Jericho explained the decision to shift away from NBA and NHL arenas. “The worst thing you can ever do, in any business, is overprice yourself or overextend yourself,” he said. “We’re at a place where, to go to some of the middle-sized venues, not in every city, but in some of them, it’s a very smart move for many reasons, but most importantly, the vibe of the fans.”

Jericho emphasized that smaller venues create more demand and a better atmosphere for fans and viewers alike. “You want to put 10,000 people into an arena, and if you can, you do. If you’re down to 5,000, but you go to a 4,000-seat arena, it increases demand and makes the show more exciting and translates better on TV,” he continued.

The ROH World Champion also highlighted AEW’s need to maintain its “cool factor” by creating scarcity. “If you have this many tickets for sale and they’re gone, it makes the product hotter, and you continue to grow,” Jericho added.

Jericho himself played a major role in AEW’s recent Hammerstein run, successfully defending his ROH World Title against Matt Cardona at Final Battle.

AEW’s move to smaller venues shows they’re ready to adapt and keep the energy alive for fans. Chris Jericho’s perspective highlights how this strategy could make the product even more exciting and exclusive.

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