WWE appears to be taking an unusual step ahead of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas this April. Bars, casinos, and other venues near Allegiant Stadium are being told they cannot show the event, even if they pay the normal fees to broadcast it legally.
The company has put a media blackout in place for any location within 50 miles of the stadium where WrestleMania takes place on April 18-19. This is a major change from past years when watch parties were common across host cities. The move comes as ticket sales for the two-night event are reportedly down compared to last year, with high prices pushing fans toward cheaper viewing options.
What’s the Reason?
WWE wants more people to buy stadium tickets. Right now, ticket sales are down compared to last year. About 36,000 tickets have sold for each night, which is 18% fewer than last year at this time.
The problem is that tickets cost a lot of money. You’ll pay at least $270 for one day if you want the cheapest seats. A two-day pass runs between $650 and $740. The most expensive VIP packages can cost close to $92,000.
Many fans are picking watch parties instead of going to the stadium because of these high prices. By blocking bars and casinos from showing the event, WWE removes this cheaper option. You would then need to either spend money on an expensive stadium ticket or watch the event alone in your hotel room.
A History of Going Dark
Sports leagues have used broadcast blackouts for decades to control how you watch their events. The NFL once enforced a 75-mile rule that blocked local TV coverage when stadiums failed to sell out. This strategy pushed you to buy tickets instead of watching from your couch. If you wanted to see the game without going to the stadium, you could visit a bar that had access to special satellite feeds.
Baseball took a different approach with its blackout policies. MLB restrictions focus on protecting regional sports networks requiring you to purchase specific cable packages. These blackouts don’t target ticket sales but instead control which channels you need to subscribe to for game access.
The WrestleMania 42 situation breaks from traditional patterns. You can still watch the event at home through Netflix on any device you own. The restriction targets commercial venues like bars and casinos that might host viewing parties. These watch parties typically charge a fraction of what actual event tickets cost.
Current Las Vegas Venue Status:
- Circa advertises a WrestleMania 42 party but offers no working reservation system
- Plaza promotes the event yet provides no ticket purchase option
- Both venues appear to be seeking exemptions from viewing restrictions
Night 1 features Drew McIntyre facing Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship. Night 2 showcases Roman Reigns versus CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship.
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