WWE Raw is one of the flagship weekly shows of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). It features WWE’s top superstars and has been a staple of WWE programming for over 25 years. With its flashy pyrotechnics, loud music, and high-octane matches, Raw is a hugely popular show that attracts thousands of passionate pro wrestling fans each week. But attending a live WWE Raw event can get expensive. From ticket prices to parking fees to merchandise costs, going to see WWE Raw live is a significant financial investment for many fans. In this article, we’ll break down the major costs associated with attending WWE Raw and provide an estimate of the total budget you’ll need for attending a live show.
Ticket Prices
The first and often most substantial cost of attending WWE Raw is purchasing your event ticket. WWE runs over 300 live events every year. Ticket prices vary depending on the venue size, the city where the event is held, matches on the card, and other factors. On average, here’s a breakdown of WWE Raw ticket prices:
- Nosebleed seats: $20 – $60
- Upper deck seats: $40 – $150
- Lower deck seats: $60 – $250
- Floor seats: $100 – $500
- Ringside seats: $300 – $1,500+
As you can see, ticket prices cover a wide range. If you want to sit up close to see the in-ring action, it will cost a premium. But you can also find relatively cheap seats in the upper decks of typical WWE Raw arenas. On average, expect to spend $50 – $250 per ticket depending on your preferred seat location.
Booking Fees
In addition to the base ticket price, you’ll also have to account for booking fees when purchasing WWE Raw tickets. Third-party ticketing sites like Ticketmaster typically charge 15-25% on top of the list price as a service fee. There can also be smaller fees for order processing, facility charges, etc. So when budgeting, make sure to factor in an extra 20-30% cost on top of just the ticket price.
Travel Expenses
Since WWE tours the country each week for Raw, many fans need to travel to get to the nearest event. That means potential costs for flights, hotels, rental cars, and other transportation expenses. Even if you live relatively close to the arena, you’ll still need to account for gas or parking fees. When budgeting for a WWE Raw trip, allocate $100 – $500 depending on how far you’re traveling.
Food and Merchandise
Like most live events, WWE sells lots of food, drinks, merchandise, and memorabilia on-site. Many fans get to Raw early to tailgate, have drinks, and soak up the atmosphere. You can easily drop $25 – $75+ on food and drinks with arena concession pricing.
WWE also does a booming business in merchandise like t-shirts, hats, posters, collectibles, etc. It’s common for fans to get souvenirs to remember their Raw experience. Budget $25 – $100 for WWE merchandise at the show.
Parking Fees
If you drive and park at the arena, you’ll have to pay a parking fee. WWE Raw parking rates vary by venue, but typically run $10 – $50. Even if you Uber or take public transport, account for $10 – $20 in transportation costs to and from the venue.
Extra Expenses
Depending on your Raw experience, there may be other costs that come up:
- Hotel charges if you’re staying overnight before/after the event
- Child care costs if you bring kids to the event
- Money for non-WWE vendors selling goods outside the arena
- Fees for autographs and photo ops with WWE Superstars
- VIP experience or backstage tour add-ons
Factor in an extra $100+ if you plan on any of these additional expenditures.
Total WWE Raw Cost Estimate
Given all of these expense considerations, here is an estimated total budget for attending a live WWE Raw event:
Expense | Low-End Cost | High-End Cost |
---|---|---|
Tickets | $50 | $500 |
Booking Fees | $10 | $150 |
Travel | $0 | $500 |
Food & Drinks | $25 | $75 |
Merchandise | $25 | $100 |
Parking | $10 | $50 |
Extras | $0 | $100 |
Total Per Person | $120 | $1,475 |
As the estimates show, the total cost can range widely depending on your seat location, travel needs, and how much you indulge in food and merchandise. On the low end, you can potentially attend WWE Raw for about $120 per person if you don’t have to travel and sit in the cheap seats.
But for a VIP experience sitting ringside, traveling to the event, and splurging on extras, you could easily spend over $1,000 per person. The average fan will probably spend $200 – $400 per ticket.
With an average of 10,000 fans per event, WWE Raw likely generates $2 – $4 million in revenue per show just on ticket sales and live attendee spending.
How to Save on WWE Raw Tickets
If those cost estimates seem high, here are a few tips to save money on WWE Raw tickets:
- Buy upper level seats instead of floor or ringside tickets
- Look for ticket deals on fan resale sites like StubHub and VividSeats
- Buy tickets well in advance instead of last minute
- Go to shows in smaller markets which are usually cheaper
- Avoid additional booking fees by buying direct from the box office
- Take public transportation instead of driving and paying for parking
- Bring your own food and drink instead of buying concessions
- Limit expensive merchandise purchases
Using some of these savings strategies can help cut 50% or more off your total budget for attending WWE Raw live. With smart planning, you can still have an amazing experience on a reasonable budget.
Is Attending WWE Raw Worth the Cost?
Only you can decide if the costs of attending WWE Raw in person are worth it. For many passionate WWE fans, getting to experience the loud crowds, electrifying matches, and larger-than-life Superstars up close makes the splurge completely worthwhile. It’s a bucket list item for a lot of wrestling devotees.
But if you’re on a tight budget or just casual fan, it may be hard to rationalize spending hundreds on a three hour event. If that’s the case, you can always watch WWE Raw at home for free on USA Network.
One way to get the live thrill at a more affordable price is attending a non-televised WWE House Show in your area rather than a RAW or SmackDown TV taping. House Shows generally have lower ticket prices across the board.
No matter your budget, there are ways to experience the excitement of WWE live. With smart planning and shopping around, attending a WWE Raw taping is feasible even for fans with average budgets. Just be prepared for a significant investment – the costs quickly add up.
Conclusion
Attending WWE Monday Night Raw in person is a dream for many wrestling devotees. But between ticket prices, booking fees, travel costs, concessions, merchandise, and other expenditures – the total budget can easily run $200+ per person, or $1,000+ for premium experiences.
By sitting in the cheap seats, finding ticket deals, bringing your own food, and skipping extras, you can reduce costs to around $100 – $150 per person. However, attending WWE Raw is rarely “cheap” given the significant venue, production, and personnel expenses to run these massive live events.
For committed WWE fans, the memories and stories are priceless – making Raw well worth the required investment. But more casual viewers may be better off catching Raw at home for free. Either way, experiencing WWE live in-person is a one-of-a-kind thrill like no other.