Posted on: February 9, 2026, 10:58h.
Last updated on: February 9, 2026, 11:11h.
- WWE has reportedly blocked Vegas bars and casino sports books from airing WrestleMania 42
- Ticket sales for the April event at Allegiant Stadium are reportedly 18% lower than last year
- High event ticket prices are to blame, so WWE wants to close the cheaper watch-party escape hatch
Las Vegas is about to host WrestleMania 42 for the second consecutive year, but Sin City’s bars and sports books are learning they may not be allowed to host their traditional sporting event watch parties, bar screenings or casino tie-ins. According to Fightful Select, Joe Hand (the distributor handling WWE’s Premium Live Events) has ordered a media blackout.
The wrestling news website reports that all establishments within 50 miles of Allegiant Stadium — where Wrestlemania 42 takes place April 18-19 — are being prohibited from showing any of its events. This even goes for establishments that have paid a standard commercial licensing fee.
So far, multiple Las Vegas venues have reportedly been informed of the blackout.
What’s the Reason?
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that WrestleMania 42 has only sold 36,000 tickets per night with two months to go — about 18% lower than WrestleMania 41 at the same point last year.
It is believed that fans are choosing watch parties over the stadium due to high ticket costs. One‑day tickets for Wrestlemania 42 start at $270 for the worst seats, while two‑day passes hover between $650–$740, and premium packages climb into five‑figure territory. (The most extreme VIP offerings top out near $92,000.)
This blackout would close the watch-party “escape hatch,” forcing tourists to choose between splurging for a stadium ticket or watching alone in their hotel room.
A History of Going Dark
Historically, blackouts (such as the NFL’s 75-mile rule) were designed to protect ticket sales by blocking local TV broadcasts if a stadium doesn’t sell out. If you couldn’t watch the game at home, you could usually still go to a bar with a special satellite feed. Conversely, modern MLB blackouts are about protecting regional sports networks, forcing fans to buy specific cable packages.
The reputed WrestleMania 42 blackout flips this by targeting commercial venues rather than residential viewers. Anyone with Netflix on their TV or phone can still watch the broadcast. What Wrestlemania seeks to quash are social alternatives where admission costs a small fraction of event tickets.
Nevertheless, casinos are trying. At least two Las Vegas properties currently advertise Wrestlemania 42 parties. However, clicking neither “Learn More” on Circa’s website nor “Get Tickets” on the Plaza’s allows visitors to make an actual reservation. (It’s likely that both downtown venues are negotiating exemptions from the blackout, though it remains unclear whether any will be granted.)
WrestleMania Night 1 is expected to close with Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship. Night 2 is anchored by Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship, a match that survived multiple internal revisions as the company tried to stabilize its top‑of‑card direction.
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