It is no surprise that WrestleMania is the biggest event in all of professional wrestling. The very name evokes images of larger-than-life superstars, electrifying matches, and a spectacle unlike any other in the world of sports entertainment.
Since its inception in 1985, WrestleMania has cemented its place as the premier event in professional wrestling, consistently pushing the boundaries of sheer entertainment value. It is a once-in-a-year moment for fans and thus, everyone wants to experience it in person. Witnessing WrestleMania live has become a pilgrimage for many wrestling devotees, a chance to be part of a record-breaking crowd and experience the raw emotions of the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Over the years, WrestleMania has boasted some of the most iconic venues in sporting history, from the legendary Madison Square Garden to the colossal AT&T Stadium. Each year, the spectacle draws in passionate fans from all corners of the globe.
From the early days of regional success to the global phenomenon it is today, WrestleMania has seen attendance steadily climb, with several events etching their names in history for their record-breaking numbers.
Which WrestleMania had the highest attendance?
WrestleMania 32 had a marketed audience of 101,763 fans. This makes it not only the WrestleMania with the highest crowd but the highest-attended event in general. However, WWE’s claim of this staggering crowd has been disputed by many, where some have claimed the actual figures to be 80,709.
As per many reports, WrestleMania 35 had an attendance of more than 82000 fans, bringing it to the top spot. Nonetheless, WrestleMania 32 is still considered to be the highest-attended event by WWE. However, if instead of one night, we talk of WrestleMania as a whole, then WrestleMania 39 takes the top spot. Across the two nights, a total of 161,892 fans attended the event.
Top 5 Most Attended WrestleMania Events
#1. WrestleMania 32 - 101,763 Fans
WrestleMania 32, held on April 3rd, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was a WrestleMania of many firsts and some unexpected twists. It was the last WrestleMania before the return of the brand split, featuring a single world title, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
The event aimed to break attendance records, hoping to surpass WrestleMania III's massive crowd. While official reports claimed over 100,000 attendees, the actual number is estimated to be closer to 80,709. However, as per WWE, it is the most attended event in the promotion’s history.
#2. WrestleMania III - 93173 Fans
WrestleMania III, held on March 29, 1987, was a monumental event in professional wrestling history. It took place at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, and drew a reported attendance of 93,173 (though estimates suggest a more realistic figure of around 78,000). The event boasted a whopping twelve matches, but the main event stole the show.
Hulk Hogan, the all-American hero, defended his WWF World Heavyweight Championship against the imposing Andre the Giant. Their clash became iconic, with Hogan's body-slamming Andre and securing a dramatic victory. The event was the highest attended WWE show for about three decades.
#3. WrestleMania 35 - 82265 Fans
WrestleMania 35 was the last single-night WrestleMania and was held on April 7th, 2019, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The show was lengthy, featuring many championship matches and marquee superstars.
The night was defined by underdog victories. Kofi Kingston finally captured his dream of becoming WWE Champion after defeating Daniel Bryan in an emotional main event. Becky Lynch cemented her status as "The Man" by winning a winner-take-all match for both the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships.
#4. WrestleMania 39 Night Two - 81395 Fans
Night two of WrestleMania 39, held on April 2nd, 2023, delivered high-octane action and emotional moments. The show kicked off with a colossal clash between Brock Lesnar and Omos. Fans witnessed the return of Edge, who battled his former friend Finn Balor in a brutal Hell in a Cell match.
The main event lived up to the hype as Roman Reigns defended his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against a determined Cody Rhodes. The night culminated with a dramatic victory for Reigns, solidifying his historic title reign. The Night One of the event also had an attendance of more than 80000 fans.
#5. WrestleMania 29 - 80676 Fans
WrestleMania 29, also known as WrestleMania NY/NJ, took place on April 7th, 2013 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It was the 29th annual WrestleMania event produced by WWE and featured nine professional wrestling matches, with one additional match on the pre-show.
The main event saw a rematch between John Cena and The Rock for the WWE Championship, a highly anticipated clash after Cena's loss the previous year. This WrestleMania also included the Undertaker defending his undefeated streak against CM Punk, a bout that had fans on the edge of their seats. WrestleMania 29 was a commercial success, drawing a massive crowd and becoming the highest-grossing live event in WWE history at the time.
FAQ's On WrestleMania attendance record
A. NJPW and WCW hosted Collision in Korea in The May Day Stadium in 1995. The second night of the show had a crowd of at least 165,000 fans which is the most for any event.
A. WrestleMania 36 was held during COVID-19 and had zero fans. Besides that, WrestleMania 7 has the lowest attendance of 16,158 fans.
A. Reports state that WWE’s estimate of 101,763 fans at WrestleMania 32 was inflated. The actual figures for the paid crowd are estimated to be in the range of 80,000.
A. In terms of crowd, the biggest WrestleMania was WrestleMania 32 held in the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
A. The biggest wrestling promotion WWE recognizes WrestleMania as the biggest WWE event and thus, WrestleMania is safely the biggest wrestling event as well.
