Could WWE Survivor Series 2023 be the most financially successful iteration of the event in its 37-year history?
The promotion has been on a financial role as of late with a press release issued after nearly every Premium Live Event to tout its success. Backlash, Payback and Fastlane 2023 broke records and WrestleMania 40 looks set to smash the previous record set by WrestleMania 39. For Survivor Series to do the same, how much money does it have to make?
According to Wrestlenomics, the magic number to beat is $1,574,882, which was the total gate of the previous record-holder, Survivor Series 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. The total number of tickets sold for the event was 12,375.
The second record that could be broken is their own record for total revenue for a singular event in the Chicago area. The current record dates all the way back to 2006 when WWE hosted WrestleMania 22. Revenue generated was $2.5 million and the number of tickets sold was 17,155, as noted via press release. Wrestlenomics has adjusted the figure for inflation to give a 2023 total of $3.8 million.
Can WWE Break The Record?
According to WrestleTix, the number of tickets sold as of November 22nd was 17,157 and a potential of 17,218 with the altering of the arena to open up more sections, meaning that the record has already been beaten in terms of ticket sales. In terms of financial metrics, it all comes down to which metric WWE uses.
If they use the true figure of $2.5 million and if calculations are based on confirmed ticket sales, the record would be broken if the average ticket price for the event was $145.71 or higher. If the adjusted figure of $3.8 million is WWE’s benchmark, the average ticket price would need to be $221.48 or higher. For comparison, Wrestlenomics notes that the average ticket price for SummerSlam was $180.
It should also be noted that due to WarGames taking place, there is an extra ring for the event and therefore fewer seats to be sold, making it even more impressive if the company breaks the record for the long-standing event. Two WarGames matches have been announced for the event, with the Men’s match seeing Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins and Jey Uso face The Judgment Day and Drew McIntyre.
The Women’s WarGames match will see Damage CTRL [Bailey, Kairi Sane, Asuka and Iyo Sky] face off against Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair and Shotzi.
WWE Survivor Series will air live from The Allstate Arena in Chicago on Saturday, November 25.