It’s not just in the States where wrestling is big business and attracts legions of loyal fans. All over the world the sport has a massive following, and that’s something live attendance records attest to, with some of the biggest crowds in history being clocked up outside the United States. Here we run through the top six events in wrestling history in terms of live attendance, and the numbers are staggering.
1. WCW, NJPW Collision in Korea, 1995
The highest ever audience listed for a live wrestling event was the almost unbelievable 165,000 that were reported in attendance at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea for the WCW, NJPW Collision in Korea back in 1995. That is a staggering number, made even more impressive for the fact that this was the attendance on just the final day of the two-day event. The first day attracted a slightly smaller 150,000, meaning a combined crowd of 315,000 people watching the live event over the course of just two days on April 28th and April 29th. The main event was Antonio Inoki vs Ric Flair.
2. WWE WrestleMania 32, 2016
The largest attendance at a wrestling event Stateside is the 101,763 that packed into the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for WrestleMania 32 back on April 3rd, 2016. The main event of the show was the head-to-head between superstars Triple H and Roman Reigns, although other big names on the card included Chris Jericho, Sheamus, The Undertaker, Becky Lynch and The Rock. What a line-up. Oh, and the 20-man Battle Royale included basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal.
3. WWE WrestleMania III, 1987
One of the original WrestleManias was for a long-time the best attended live event in wrestling history. On March 29th, 1987, a massive 93,173 people witnessed a classic line-up at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. The main draw was a huge showdown between WWE legends Hulk Hogan and André the Giant, but other notable performers that day were Hercules, Brutus Beefcake, ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart, Davey Boy Smith, ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage, Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts and the Honky Tonk Man. Wow, that’s a list of 80s legends right there.
4. WWE WrestleMania 35, 2019
WrestleMania 35, hosted in East Rutherford, New Jersey, brought in a boisterous crowd of 82,265 to the MetLife stadium on April 7th, 2019, to witness a headline event featuring Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair. With Triple H, Kurt Angle and Roman Reigns also on the card, it’s little surprise the event attracted such numbers.
5. WWE WrestleMania 39, 2023
One of the most recent events on this list, WrestleMania 39 saw a more than healthy crowd of 81,395 attend the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California for matchups including Austin Theory Vs John Cena, Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins vs Logan Paul, and Roman Reigns Vs Cody Rhodes. With Snoop Dogg hosting (and fighting!) It was an eventful evening in L.A. to say the least. But that’s why people love wrestling, right?
6. AEW All in London, 2023
London, England, has hosted some massive events in wrestling history. The sport is big business in the country, with betting sites in UK taking huge wagers on events, and the sport featuring heavily on satellite pay-per-view schedules. This second in the All In series was hosted at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium, and 81,305 fans were in attendance to witness a card including MJF, Adam Cole, Samoa Joe and Chris Jericho.
