Ticket prices for Pro Wrestling Guerilla have more than tripled in the last seven years as the Reseda, California-based promotion has become more popular.
According to archived previous versions of PWG’s website, front row and general admission tickets cost $25 and $20, respectively, in 2010. Seven years later, prices are up to $90 for front row and $70 for GA or standing room for this weekend’s pair of events, entitled “All Star Weekend”.
Last month, the promotion ran its biggest set of shows of the year, the Battle of Los Angeles (BOLA) tournament, a three-day event over September 1 to 3. Individual tickets for each BOLA show were $110 for front row and $90 for GA or standing room, the company’s highest ticket prices yet.
Over the same period, Google searches for PWG in the U.S. have only gradually increased.
PWG runs at the American Legion Post #308, its main venue since 2009, which holds only about 400 spectators. Demand is high and supply is low.
When tickets go on sale through the company’s website, they usually sell out within minutes. Like the surge of fandom seen each year at WrestleMania weekend, fans from around the world travel to Reseda (which is 23 miles from Los Angeles) on the eight weekends or so per year as the promotion holds between one to three events on those weekends.
Tickets for this Friday and Saturday’s events are completely sold out, but apparently they weren’t devoured as quickly as usual. On September 28 tickets went on sale for this weekend’s shows. By the following morning, the Night 2 (Saturday) had sold out, but general admission tickets appeared to still be available for the Night 1 (Friday). Front row seating for Night 1 sold out quickly.
The ticket price increases over the years are reflective of the promotion solidifying its status as one of the most visible “super indies” in the world. William Regal regularly attends, perhaps scouting talent. Other WWE talents, such as Seth Rollins have stopped by. Celebrities like Ronda Rousey, Sofia Vergara, and Danielle Fishel (“Topanga” from Boy Meets World) have attended. Wrestling journalists like Dave Meltzer and Ryan Satin can be seen in the crowd.
Rises in ticket prices have also been accompanied by the use of more international talent, likely meaning more expenses. PWG started using sought-after U.K. stars like Zack Sabre Jr. for BOLA in 2014. The following year, Sabre was joined by fellow Britons Will Ospreay and Marty Scurll; stars who made their names in Mexico: Pentagon Jr., Fenix and Angelico; and Holland’s Tommy End. BOLA 2016 even included Jushin Thunder Liger from Japan.
While most other high-profile independent promotions have gotten into the video streaming business in one form or another, PWG has been resistant. DVDs remain the promotion’s main avenue for distributing video. Events are available on VOD via Highspots only after about a year.
PWG ticket prices are among the highest in the world for an independent wrestling company. Irish promotion Over The Top comes close, with front row at €65 ($77 USD) and GA at €22.50 ($27 USD). Some indies that offer “meet & greet” photo and autograph opportunities as part of premium admission charge higher prices.
Fightful reached out to PWG for comment for this story but didn't receive a response as of the time of this post.
Follow Brandon on Twitter @BrandonThurston. Email him at [email protected]. He co-hosts Wrestlenomics Radio, a weekly podcast on wrestling business.
