WWE touted the success of WrestleMania 40. WWE issued the following:
WrestleMania XL Becomes Most Successful Event in WWE History
WrestleMania XL in Philadelphia Shatters All-Time Gate, Viewership, Merchandise, Fan Event & Social Records
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today announced that WrestleMania XL became the most successful and highest-grossing event in company history.
Highlights include:
- GATE: WrestleMania XL broke the previous record set by WrestleMania 39 by 78 percent, with 145,298 in attendance at Lincoln Financial Field over two nights. The event drew fans from all 50 states and 64 countries worldwide.
- VIEWERSHIP: WrestleMania XL viewership was up 41 percent across both nights versus last year’s record-setting audience.
- MERCHANDISE: In partnership with Fanatics, merchandise sales were up more than 20 percent versus the previous record set at WrestleMania 39.
- SPONSORSHIP: WrestleMania XL featured the first-ever ring mat sponsorship with PRIME Hydration.
- FAN EVENT: WWE World at WrestleMania, in partnership with Fanatics Events, is now the highest-grossing and most-attended fan event in company history.
- SOCIAL: WrestleMania XL became the most socially viewed WrestleMania of all time, with over 660 million views consumed over the two days. WWE’s YouTube channel saw its most-viewed day in channel history on WrestleMania XL Sunday with more than 67 million views in 24 hours.
- SMACKDOWN: Friday Night SmackDown at Wells Fargo Center drew the largest gate in SmackDown history.
- RAW: Monday Night Raw at Wells Fargo Center drew the largest gate in Raw history.
- NXT: Stand & Deliver was the most-attended NXT event ever with 16,545 in attendance at Wells Fargo Center.
The record-breaking event was highlighted by the highly anticipated in-ring return of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes’ triumphant victory over Roman Reigns.
About WWE
WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), is an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, premium live events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion homes worldwide in 25 languages through world-class distribution partners including NBCUniversal, FOX Sports, TNT Sports, Sony India and Rogers. The award-winning WWE Network includes all premium live events, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library and is currently available in approximately 165 countries. In the United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, is the exclusive home to WWE Network. Additional information on WWE can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.
WrestleMania XL, held in Philadelphia, has become the most successful event in WWE history, breaking numerous records in gate attendance, viewership, merchandise sales, fan events, and social media engagement. The event, organized by WWE as part of TKO Group Holdings, has solidified its position as the global leader in sports entertainment.
One of the standout achievements of WrestleMania XL was the record-breaking gate attendance. With a total of 145,298 fans present at Lincoln Financial Field over two nights, the event surpassed the previous record set by WrestleMania 39 by an impressive 78 percent. Fans from all 50 states and 64 countries around the world flocked to Philadelphia to witness the spectacle.
The viewership of WrestleMania XL also saw a significant increase compared to the previous year. Across both nights, viewership was up by 41 percent, attracting a record-setting audience. This surge in viewership demonstrates the enduring popularity and appeal of WWE’s flagship event.
Merchandise sales during WrestleMania XL also reached new heights. In partnership with Fanatics, merchandise sales were up by more than 20 percent compared to the previous record set at WrestleMania 39. This indicates the strong connection between WWE and its passionate fanbase, who eagerly purchase memorabilia to commemorate the event.
Sponsorship played a notable role in WrestleMania XL’s success. The event featured the first-ever ring mat sponsorship with PRIME Hydration, showcasing the growing interest from brands to align themselves with WWE and its massive audience.
WWE World at WrestleMania, a fan event held in partnership with Fanatics Events, became the highest-grossing and most-attended fan event in WWE history. This interactive experience allowed fans to engage with their favorite wrestlers and immerse themselves in the world of WWE.
Social media played a crucial role in amplifying the reach and impact of WrestleMania XL. The event became the most socially viewed WrestleMania of all time, with over 660 million views consumed over the two days. WWE’s YouTube channel also experienced a milestone, achieving its most-viewed day in channel history on WrestleMania XL Sunday, with over 67 million views in just 24 hours.
In addition to the success of WrestleMania XL, other WWE shows held during the weekend also achieved remarkable milestones. Friday Night SmackDown at Wells Fargo Center drew the largest gate in SmackDown history, while Monday Night Raw at the same venue drew the largest gate in Raw history. NXT’s Stand & Deliver event became the most-attended NXT event ever, with 16,545 fans in attendance at Wells Fargo Center.
The record-breaking nature of WrestleMania XL was further enhanced by the highly anticipated in-ring return of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Cody Rhodes’ triumphant victory over Roman Reigns, earning him the moniker “The American Nightmare.”
WWE, as part of TKO Group Holdings, is an integrated media organization and the leading global provider of sports entertainment. With a portfolio of businesses that deliver original content throughout the year, WWE is committed to providing family-friendly entertainment through its television programming, live events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE’s reach extends to over 1 billion homes worldwide in 25 languages through partnerships with distribution partners such as NBCUniversal, FOX Sports, TNT Sports, Sony India, and Rogers. The award-winning WWE Network offers premium live events and a vast video-on-demand library, available in approximately 165 countries. In the United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, exclusively hosts WWE Network. For more information on WWE, visit wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.
In conclusion, WrestleMania XL’s resounding success has cemented its place as the most successful event in WWE history. With record-breaking attendance, viewership, merchandise sales, fan events, and social media engagement, the event showcased the enduring popularity and global reach of WWE. As the recognized global leader in sports entertainment, WWE continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its unique blend of athleticism and entertainment.