AEW struggling with crowds in the Chicago market
For a few years, Chicago was an AEW hotbed. Fans jam packed arenas whenever the company was in town, be it for the annual All Out pay-per-view, the Thanksgiving eve Dynamite episode, or the occasional big show at the United Center.
But today, the NOW Arena and the Wintrust Arena, one in Hoffman Estates and the other right in the city of Chicago, have struggled to attract AEW fans as in previous years, especially if it’s not a pay-per-view.
Last night’s Collision at the NOW Arena drew just under 2,500 fans. Tonight’s All Out pay-per-view is currently at 8,000 fans, down slightly from last year’s attendance of 9,800, 10,000 of 2022, 10,000 of 2021, and 10,500 of 2019. Last year’s event was held at the United Center while the others were all at the NOW Arena.
The previous All Out shows at the NOW Arena all sold out, but it’s looking less likely that tonight’s show will continue that trend.
Collision last night was the lowest attendance for AEW in Chicago so far.
Colin Vassallo been editor of Wrestling-Online since 1996
AEW have destroyed that market. They go there far too much and fans only have so much money. They can’t go to all the shows. Well, except the guys that wear the same clothes to get attention and go to the weekly shows.
Overexposure is certainly a factor, like Kyle said. I’m also sure it has nothing to do with a certain wrestler from Chicago who was a big draw but is no longer with the company…
@What?
Absolutely nothing, he was cancer. Now that he’s gone, everything’s in remission…
instead of being a virtual fantasy booker t k should just hire a booker, an experienced one that has worked for WWE maybe
@Luke: I don’t totally disagree with you and I’m not saying it was a bad move for AEW to ditch him. But to a lot of more casual fans who don’t follow backstage drama, especially those in Chicago, he was/still is God. Heck, even some that do follow backstage drama apparently managed to convince themselves that AEW somehow did him dirty instead of the other way around. Cancers can still put butts in seats even if they ultimately end up doing more harm than good in ways that aren’t reflected in attendance figures.
Everyone in Chicago is broke after buying Caleb Williams jerseys. That and there are thousands of people in Chicago mourning the tragedy that is the Chicago White Sox 2024 season.
@What?
Come on, I wasn’t being serious. He was the biggest draw in the company. The people running things still can’t draw a line. Do you really think things over there are in remission? Look at any objective measures.
AEW (or rather Tony Khan) did do him dirty. First off, no one told him drawing money wasn’t a factor. He had no idea that he was hired to please Meltzer and be friends with everybody. Second, when Page tried to shoot on him on the mic, Tony did nothing. When Meltzer started reporting that he was trying to get Colt Cabana off TV, Tony did nothing. When Punk shot hard at the scrum, Tony sat there like an idiot nodding and did nothing. I’m not saying he was right to punch the Bucks, but I’m not sure I wouldn’t have done the same.