Updated

Updated · Figure Four Online · Jun 28

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door Reaches 8,538 Tickets in San Jose as Get-In Price Sits at $37.40

Updated

Updated · Figure Four Online · Jun 28

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door Reaches 8,538 Tickets in San Jose as Get-In Price Sits at $37.40

Q: Does Forbidden Door's attendance gap with WWE signal a ceiling for AEW's growth in major markets?

No. Forbidden Door’s gap with WWE at the SAP Center points more to AEW’s current market position than to a hard ceiling on its growth. The immediate comparison is clear: Forbidden Door had distributed 8,538 tickets by midday for a setup of 8,864, while recent WWE shows in the same building drew 10,282, 10,968 and 13,301. That shows WWE remains materially stronger in the same market. But AEW is also far ahead of its own last SAP Center result, when a 2024 Dynamite drew 3,266. In that sense, Forbidden Door reflects meaningful improvement, not stagnation. Context matters. Forbidden Door is a crossover pay-per-view built around AEW, NJPW, Stardom and CMLL, which gives it a more niche appeal than WWE’s core TV brands. Even so, AEW is close to a full configured house, and the low entry price suggests the company prioritized filling the room. That is different from proving it cannot grow. Broader indicators also argue against calling this a ceiling. AEW has shown stronger attendance trends in 2025 and early 2026, improved fan sentiment, and major-event upside in large markets. Double or Nothing 2025 in New York drew 15,015, and the 2026 edition reportedly moved more than 11,000 tickets in advance. AEW also has a renewed media-rights deal worth roughly $170 million to $185 million annually, giving it financial stability. The better reading is that AEW still trails WWE significantly in major markets, but one San Jose comparison does not prove its growth has topped out.

3 articles · Updated · Figure Four Online · Jun 28

WrestleTix’s noon Eastern update put AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door at 8,538 tickets distributed for Sunday’s pay-per-view at SAP Center in San Jose, up 35 from the morning count of 8,503.
The cheapest available ticket was listed at $37.40, giving a fresh read on late demand ahead of the show.
SAP Center is only AEW’s second event at the venue; its first, a Dynamite on Oct. 16, 2024, reportedly drew 3,266 fans.
Recent WWE shows in the same arena drew higher announced crowds — 10,282 for SmackDown on April 10, 2026, 10,968 for SmackDown on Oct. 17, 2025, and 13,301 for Raw on Jan. 13, 2025.