WWE defends higher ticket prices, fewer nontelevised shows

WWE President Nick Khan defended the company’s strategy of raising ticket prices and scaling back untelevised shows during TKO’s third-quarter 2025 earnings call, saying the moves have driven higher gates and strengthened demand for televised events. Khan said capacity at live events remains high and that WWE has “increased prices appropriately with the marketplace,” while reducing nontelevised appearances and expanding internationally to create scarcity and boost revenue.

Khan outlined how WWE’s touring approach has shifted since the TKO merger, with fewer nontelevised live events generating stronger demand for premium live events and weekly television tapings. He said WWE will mount a European tour for Raw and SmackDown in January that will lead into the Royal Rumble, which is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, and added that tickets for that event are selling strongly. The company reported a $31.4 million increase in live events and hospitality revenue for the quarter and total quarterly revenue of $402.1 million.

The earnings call also addressed WWE’s distribution partnership with ESPN. Khan said the company is “thrilled with the start of it,” pointing to...