TKO Pushes UFC-Style Ticket Strategy for WWE as MSG Raw Lists Multi-Thousand-Dollar Seats

Overview

• TKO COO Mark Shapiro told investors WWE trails UFC on ticket yield and said Vince McMahon historically priced shows for families rather than maximizing revenue.
• Shapiro said TKO is replicating UFC tactics for WWE, including holding back inventory and using OnLocation for advance sales, and claimed the approach is working well.
• He cited a 59% second-quarter margin and pointed to ticket sales and site fees as significant contributors to that performance.
• Public Ticketmaster listings for the November 17 Raw at Madison Square Garden, billed as John Cena’s final Raw, show seats in sections B and C at $2,507 plus a $451.25 fee, with upper-level options around $251.
• Fans have voiced affordability concerns on social platforms, including a viral exchange where a fan told WWE president Nick Khan prices were "crazy," even as outlets note WWE continues to post strong gates.