WWE chiefs must be praying that the recently announced CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes title bout shifts some tickets for SummerSlam 2026 next month. The company revealed that blockbuster on Friday’s episode of SmackDown, but it comes amidst word that the August PLE in Minneapolis, Minnesota hasn’t shifted as many tickets as WWE/TKO would’ve hoped.
The Wrestling Observer collated news from WrestleTix that SummerSlam’s opening night has sold 22,069 tickets. Meanwhile, the second card 24 hours later has shifted a slightly higher 23,809 number. Neither of those will satisfy WWE though, especially not with approx 3 weeks to go until showtime.
The U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis has a general capacity of 66,200, and that can be expanded to 72,000 if needed. WWE would’ve been hoping to capitalise on that, but it looks like they’ll fall way short of filling the place across the 1-2 August weekend unless something dramatic changes.
SummerSlam’s lineup is already pretty stacked though. Matches like Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins for the World Title, Liv Morgan vs. IYO SKY for the Women’s World belt, Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi inside Hell In A Cell and now Punk vs. Cody for the WWE Title have been touted.
Despite that, ticket sales remain alarmingly low.
For reference, last year’s SummerSlam held at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium pulled 53,161 and then 60,561 across both nights for a combined total of 113,722. The promotion’s top brass would’ve been hoping for similar numbers come Minnesota, but tickets haven’t been selling quickly to say the least.
Fingers crossed things pick up, otherwise this could get a little embarrassing for WWE/TKO. Critics will (perhaps rightly) point to high ticket prices across the board as a reason why so few have flown out the door. The staggering prices WWE demand may have reached saturation point.
