TNA World Tag Team Champion Matt Hardy has voiced concerns over the escalating ticket prices for WWE WrestleMania 42, calling it a "tough sell" for fans amid economic pressures and the event's return to the same market for a second straight year.

In a recent episode of his podcast, "The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy," the veteran wrestler addressed reports of sluggish ticket sales for the two-night spectacle set for April 18-19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Hardy, who has competed in multiple WrestleManias during his storied career in WWE and other promotions, empathized with fans facing the financial decision.

Matt Hardy
Matt Hardy

"It's hard to justify spending that much money on tickets for entertainment," Hardy said. "You know that isn't something that you have to have in your every single day life to survive and live and be okay. So it's a tough sell."

Hardy's comments come as WWE grapples with ticket demand trailing behind last year's record-breaking WrestleMania 41, also held at Allegiant Stadium. Sources indicate that current get-in prices hover around $264 for Night 1 and $276 for Night 2 on resale platforms, with two-day passes starting near $652. Premium seats and packages have commanded significantly higher figures, with some reports citing top-tier options exceeding several thousand dollars per night before fees.

The company has responded to slower sales with promotions, including a reported 25% discount at Allegiant Stadium and meetings to reassess pricing strategies. Despite these efforts, attendance projections remain below the 2025 event's pace, which drew massive crowds and generated substantial revenue following WWE's merger into TKO Group Holdings.

Hardy pointed to several contributing factors. He highlighted the challenge of repeating the Las Vegas market so soon after its success in 2025, when the city hosted what many called one of the most profitable WrestleManias in history.

"Vegas was so good last year and they did these record numbers, and I guess they bid for them to come back," Hardy explained. "But it's tough to go into the market two years back-to-back, and you know that those tickets are pricey. Economically — especially since the pandemic — it's kind of been a roller coaster ride for everyone."

The post-pandemic economic landscape has left many households cautious with discretionary spending. Hardy noted that while WrestleMania remains a marquee event, the high costs — including not just tickets but travel, lodging, and related expenses in an expensive destination like Las Vegas — make it difficult for average fans to attend consecutively or even once.

"I mean, they go, 'Well, I went last year, and it was pretty expensive. And kind of set me back a little bit, I don't know if I can go this year,'" Hardy said, paraphrasing potential fan sentiment.

Hardy's perspective echoes broader discussions within the wrestling community about pricing trends under WWE's current leadership. Since the introduction of two-night WrestleManias in 2020, ticket costs have risen steadily to capitalize on premium demand, celebrity appearances, and high production values. Critics argue this shift prioritizes corporate revenue over accessibility for longtime supporters.

Some fans and commentators have suggested WWE could benefit from returning to a single-night format with longer cards to distribute costs more evenly, or from selecting fresh markets annually to avoid saturation. Hardy appeared to lean toward the latter idea, implying a new city might have generated more excitement and better sales momentum.

Despite the challenges, Hardy acknowledged WWE's confidence in its product. The company continues to build toward WrestleMania 42 with major storylines across Raw, SmackDown, and international brands. Recent developments include high-profile matches rumored for the card, though official announcements remain forthcoming.

Hardy, 51, currently competes in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he holds the World Tag Team Championship alongside his brother Jeff Hardy as part of The Hardys. His insights carry weight given his deep history in the industry, including iconic WrestleMania moments such as his ladder match appearances and championship reigns.

While not directly criticizing WWE's business decisions, Hardy's candid remarks add to a growing chorus questioning whether skyrocketing prices could alienate the core fanbase that has fueled WrestleMania's growth into a global spectacle.

WWE has not publicly responded to Hardy's specific comments but maintains that WrestleMania remains the pinnacle of sports entertainment, with tickets available through official channels like Ticketmaster. Single-day and multi-day options continue on sale, and the company has emphasized enhanced fan experiences, including premium hospitality packages.

As the Road to WrestleMania intensifies, all eyes will be on whether sales rebound in the coming months. Hardy concluded his thoughts optimistically yet realistically: "They're confident, I guess they can do it for another year straight, and I guess when it's all said and done, by the time we get to WrestleMania, we'll see if they were right or not."

For fans weighing the investment, the debate underscores a larger tension in modern sports entertainment: balancing blockbuster ambition with affordability in an uncertain economy.