WWE Reportedly Only Sold 44,569 Tickets For Royal Rumble 2023, Counted ‘Anyone With A Heartbeat’ For Attendance

WWE Royal Rumble 2023 took place on January 28 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. WWE announced an attendance of 51,338 fans with a $7.7 million gate.

According to Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics, WWE sold 44,569 tickets, generating $7.3 million in net ticket sales revenue for WWE.

Ticket audit records indicate 2,662 tickets were given away for free. The number of fans whose tickets were scanned and entered the building was 42,928.

Thurston notes that the gate number provided by WWE likely includes service fees.

Regarding the WWE announce attendance figure, Thurston provides emails between WWE and Alamodome staff with WWE Director of TV Event Relations asking for “anyone with a heartbeat” to be counted:

WWE Director of TV Event Relations (Wed. 25 Jan, 6:55 PM CT):
Hello all, Gathering up all the pertinent information for WWE TV attendance figure for the TV broadcast on Saturday. This is an “asses in the venue” number. If you have a heartbeat we count you.
Therefore, looking for the following information:
1. Total suite capacity for the venue. This would include standing room in the suites and any killed suites on the south end.
2. Total venue staffing number for the venue on site for the show. This would be everyone…venue staff, operations, housekeeping, concessions, security, parking, etc.
Don’t need an answer right now but will need it before Saturday.
Alamodome Event Services Manager (Wed, 25 Jan, 7:06 PM CT):
RE: Royal Rumble total attendance (including staffing) request
We will work on this and have it to you by Friday.
Alamodome Box Officer Manager (Thu, 26 Jan, 1:26 PM CT):
I can speak for the Suite portion of this question…
With suites 1-8 and 45-52 not in use, and the Press Box not being used for Ticketed Patrons (which we do sometimes do for concerts like Elton John and Bad Bunny), the total Suite capacity including SRO’s for Saturday is 694 persons.
WWE Director of TV Event Relations (Thu, 26 Jan, 1:35 PM CT):
What would the total capacity be if suites 1-8 and 45-52 and the press box were fully ticketed?
Alamodome Box Office Manager (Thu, 26 Jan, 1:40 PM CT):
Press box would be 130 and the 8 suites combined including SRO’s would be another 318 persons (130 + 318)
WWE Director of TV Event Relations (Fri, 27 Jan, 10:05 PM CT):
Any update on the total venue staff number for tomorrow’s show for our TV attendance figure?
Alamodome Event Services Manager (Sat, 28 Jan, 6:59 AM CT):
Total number 725 do u need breakdown?
WWE Director of TV Event Relations (Sat, 28 Jan, 7:41 AM CT):
This seems very low. Does this include everyone? Concessions? parking? security? Housekeeping? Ops? Anyone with a heartbeat.
Alamodome Event Services Manager (Sat, 28 Jan, 7:45 AM CT):
Let me check again when all managers arrive. Will get back to you around 9:30am.
Alamodome Event Services Manager (Sat, Jan 28, 7:19 PM CT):
As we discussed earlier the revised number with Traffic, SAPD, Pritchard is 1,280.

Thurston notes that “Pritchard” likely refers to the housekeeping/janitorial contractor used by Alamodome, Pritchard Sports & Entertainment Group.

Even with the announced figure being inflated, ticket revenues were more than $2 million greater than Royal Rumble 2017 at the Alamodome, though the announced attendance figure was lower.

Royal Rumble 2023 was headlined by the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches and Roman Reigns defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Kevin Owens.

You can listen to all of Bodyslam’s podcasts by following us on Spotify and subscribing to our YouTube Channel,  or any of your favorite podcast platforms.

Follow me on Twitter: @WhoElseButRami
Follow us on Twitter: @BodyslamNet