AEW announced 81,035 paid attendees for AEW All In. However, the local government disclosed a ‘turnstile count’ of 72,265, while the number of tickets distributed ranged between 83,131 and 85,528.
AEW CEO Tony Khan took to Twitter to clarify his decision to announce the paid ticket figure instead of the tickets distributed, which is usually what companies do. He wrote,
“The reason I announced the actual paid attendance 81,035 tickets sold, instead of saying over 85,000 tix distributed, is because our 81,035 sold at #AEWAllIn @WembleyStadium in London is the all-time ticket sales record, whereas WCW North Korea shows hold tix distributed record.”
The reason I announced the actual paid attendance 81,035 tickets sold, instead of saying over 85,000 tix distributed, is because our 81,035 sold at #AEWAllIn @WembleyStadium in London is the all-time ticket sales record, whereas WCW North Korea shows hold tix distributed record.
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) October 5, 2023
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AEW CEO Tony Khan recently made headlines when he announced that the paid attendance for AEW All In was 81,035, despite the local government disclosing a lower ‘turnstile count’ of 72,265. This discrepancy raised questions among fans and industry insiders about the accuracy of attendance figures in professional wrestling events.
Typically, companies announce the number of tickets distributed rather than the actual paid attendance. However, Khan took to Twitter to explain his decision, stating that the reason he announced the actual paid attendance was because it set an all-time ticket sales record for AEW.
In his tweet, Khan wrote, “The reason I announced the actual paid attendance 81,035 tickets sold, instead of saying over 85,000 tix distributed, is because our 81,035 sold at #AEWAllIn @WembleyStadium in London is the all-time ticket sales record, whereas WCW North Korea shows hold tix distributed record.”
This clarification from Khan sheds light on the importance of distinguishing between tickets distributed and tickets sold. While the number of tickets distributed may be higher, it does not necessarily reflect the actual number of people in attendance. Paid attendance provides a more accurate representation of the number of fans who purchased tickets and attended the event.
The discrepancy between the paid attendance and the turnstile count raises questions about how attendance figures are calculated and reported in the wrestling industry. It is not uncommon for promotions to inflate their attendance numbers to create a perception of success and popularity. However, this practice can be misleading to fans and potential investors.
Accurate attendance figures are crucial for evaluating the success of an event and determining its impact on the wrestling industry. They provide insights into fan interest, revenue generation, and overall marketability. Transparency in reporting attendance figures is essential for maintaining credibility and trust among fans and stakeholders.
As wrestling continues to evolve as a global entertainment phenomenon, it is important for promotions to adopt standardized practices for reporting attendance figures. This would ensure consistency and accuracy in the industry, allowing for fair comparisons and assessments of events.
In conclusion, Tony Khan’s decision to announce the paid attendance for AEW All In instead of the tickets distributed highlights the importance of accurate reporting in the wrestling industry. While discrepancies between the two figures are not uncommon, transparency and consistency in reporting attendance figures are crucial for maintaining credibility and trust among fans and stakeholders.