Reasons You Can’t View WrestleMania from a Las Vegas Bar or Sportsbook — Report

By Blog


Published on: February 9, 2026, 10:58h.

Updated on: February 9, 2026, 11:11h.

  • WWE has allegedly prohibited Las Vegas bars and casino sportsbooks from broadcasting WrestleMania 42.
  • Ticket sales for the upcoming event at Allegiant Stadium are reportedly 18% lower compared to last year’s figures.
  • Soaring ticket prices are cited as the reason, prompting WWE to eliminate cheaper viewing options.

Las Vegas is preparing to welcome WrestleMania 42 for the second straight year, but local bars and sportsbooks have received notice that they may not be allowed to conduct their usual watch parties, screenings, or casino promotions. As reported by Fightful Select, Joe Hand, the distributor managing WWE’s Premium Live Events, has implemented a media blackout.

Fans reaction to media blackout
A.I. artwork depicting fans’ reactions to the media blackout in a bar setting. (Image: Grok)

According to the wrestling news outlet, all establishments within a 50-mile radius of Allegiant Stadium, the venue for WrestleMania 42 scheduled for April 18-19, are prohibited from broadcasting any WWE events. This restriction applies even to those who have obtained a standard commercial license.

As of now, numerous Las Vegas venues have been notified of this blackout.

What’s the Motivation Behind This?

CM Punk and Roman Reigns face-off
CM Punk and Roman Reigns, captured during their confrontation in February in Philadelphia, will clash for the World Heavyweight Championship on April 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Image: Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty)

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that, with just two months remaining, WrestleMania 42 has sold only 36,000 tickets each night, marking an 18% decline compared to WrestleMania 41 at the same time last year.

Fans seem to prefer cheaper watch parties over attending the stadium due to escalating ticket prices. Single-day tickets for WrestleMania 42 start at $270 for the least favorable seats, while two-day passes range from $650 to $740, with premium packages reaching above five figures. The top-tier VIP experiences can exceed $92,000.

This media blackout effectively eliminates the watch-party option, compelling visitors to either splurge on stadium tickets or remain isolated in their hotel rooms.

A Look at Blackout Trends

Traditionally, blackouts (such as the NFL’s 75-mile rule) aim to safeguard ticket sales by preventing local broadcasts if a venue doesn’t sell out. If viewers couldn’t watch a game at home, they often had the chance to visit bars with special satellite feeds. In contrast, contemporary MLB blackouts focus on protecting regional sports networks, pushing fans to purchase specific cable subscriptions.

The anticipated WrestleMania 42 blackout inverts this model by targeting commercial establishments rather than household viewers. Those with access to a Netflix subscription can still enjoy the broadcast. What WWE aims to eliminate are the social settings where entry costs significantly less than event tickets.

However, casinos are making efforts. At least two Las Vegas venues are currently promoting WrestleMania 42 parties. Nonetheless, clicking on “Learn More” for Circa or “Get Tickets” for Plaza doesn’t lead to actual reservations. It’s likely that both venues are seeking exemptions from the blackout, but there’s no certainty on whether those requests will be approved.

WrestleMania Night 1 is likely to feature Drew McIntyre against Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship. Meanwhile, Night 2 is set to highlight Roman Reigns versus CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship, a match that has undergone multiple internal reconfigurations as WWE attempts to solidify its main event lineup.



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