Why Does The UFC Not Do More Stadium Shows?

[Coast]

I get that Vegas is the fight capital of the world but why do the UFC not do more stadium shows?

Back in May little known Polish MMA outfit KSW broke the UFC attendance record with a line up of mostly regional level fighters.



Also, the Joshua v Klitschko did 90,000 at Wembley Stadium



The UFC could easily sell out a stadium with the right card, I'm surprised we haven't seen a stadium super show yet.

 

[SongExotic2]

My guess is it's because it costs a certain amount to get a stadium and they are fearful of not turning a profit on it.

I'm surprised they haven't tried a SuperCard in one though to see how it turns out

 

[Lukewarm Carl]

Lots of reasons. Scaling up to properly do an event at a stadium requires more of everything. More lights, sound, screens, and depending on where they go it requires cover for the cage (in case of rain) and that adds to more visibility issues.
Plus, if they don't fill it then it looks like shit.
As a lot of musicians/comedians will tell you it's better to pack a 1500 seat venue than to have 1800 in a 3000 seat venue. The atmosphere changes, etc.
If it were me, I'd try to find a football stadium with a dome and offer a lot of super cheap tickets as a "fan appreciation" type of event. Throw some solid names on it and plenty of guys that throw down and pack it out for a Fox event.

 

[Coast]

Lots of reasons. Scaling up to properly do an event at a stadium requires more of everything. More lights, sound, screens, and depending on where they go it requires cover for the cage (in case of rain) and that adds to more visibility issues.
Plus, if they don't fill it then it looks like shit.
As a lot of musicians/comedians will tell you it's better to pack a 1500 seat venue than to have 1800 in a 3000 seat venue. The atmosphere changes, etc.
If it were me, I'd try to find a football stadium with a dome and offer a lot of super cheap tickets as a "fan appreciation" type of event. Throw some solid names on it and plenty of guys that throw down and pack it out for a Fox event.

For sure it cost a lot more but the rewards are much greater too, not just in the short term either. Imagine if the UFC could sell out Wembley Stadium, its not just about the money (although it would be massive), its about the publicity it would receive. It would be like the official arrival of MMA on the UK scene, the snide newspapers and reporters that are quick to dismiss events wouldn't be able to deny it anymore. It would have immediate effects on the popularity of UK MMA, get more people interested in the local scene like BAMMA and Cage Warriors.

I think if you put Conor v Ferguson/Diaz III as main event and Bisping v Whitaker as Co Main then theres your 90,000 right there.

Of course there are other problems, like the PPV side of it, it would most likely have to start in the middle of the morning but Bisping fighting at Manchester Arena proved that people are willing to accept that in order to get to see a high quality card.

 

[Lukewarm Carl]

For sure it cost a lot more but the rewards are much greater too, not just in the short term either. Imagine if the UFC could sell out Wembley Stadium, its not just about the money (although it would be massive), its about the publicity it would receive. It would be like the official arrival of MMA on the UK scene, the snide newspapers and reporters that are quick to dismiss events wouldn't be able to deny it anymore. It would have immediate effects on the popularity of UK MMA, get more people interested in the local scene like BAMMA and Cage Warriors.

I think if you put Conor v Ferguson/Diaz III as main event and Bisping v Whitaker as Co Main then theres your 90,000 right there.

Of course there are other problems, like the PPV side of it, it would most likely have to start in the middle of the morning but Bisping fighting at Manchester Arena proved that people are willing to accept that in order to get to see a high quality card.

A stadium card in the UK with Conor on it would be insane. Ireland would travel and tear the place down celebrating.

 

[nuraknu]

They can't even make a poster for an event like that.

 

[GSPTrainingInAPool]

All about ROI

 

[Robbie Hart]

Atmosphere in my opinion. 100,000 people at UFC event sounds like a crowd listening to a bill burr joke

 

[dacofty]

The UFC can only gather about 10-40K fans most stadiums have 80k seating. Wouldnt look good on video with all the seats empty. They are just to big of an arena.

 

[dacofty]

For sure it cost a lot more but the rewards are much greater too, not just in the short term either. Imagine if the UFC could sell out Wembley Stadium, its not just about the money (although it would be massive), its about the publicity it would receive. It would be like the official arrival of MMA on the UK scene, the snide newspapers and reporters that are quick to dismiss events wouldn't be able to deny it anymore. It would have immediate effects on the popularity of UK MMA, get more people interested in the local scene like BAMMA and Cage Warriors.

I think if you put Conor v Ferguson/Diaz III as main event and Bisping v Whitaker as Co Main then theres your 90,000 right there.

Of course there are other problems, like the PPV side of it, it would most likely have to start in the middle of the morning but Bisping fighting at Manchester Arena proved that people are willing to accept that in order to get to see a high quality card.

Sorry neither of those fights bring in more than 25K attendance

 

[Mix6APlix]

Watered down garbage cards do better on fightpiss.

 

[Leto1776]

To expensive. You mentioned the KSW show, that is an extreme outlier. KSW is huge in Poland, and they literally stacked that card with all of their champions and known fighters.

 

[Coast]

Sorry neither of those fights bring in more than 25K attendance

Bisping sold out the Manchester Arena (16,000) in 6 minutes after the tickets went on sale.

Add Conor as main event and it easily gets more than 25k, IMO it sells out Wembley. If Joshua v Klitschko can sell 90,000 with a poor undercard then I'm sure the UFC could sell 90,000 as well.

 

[dacofty]

Bisping sold out the Manchester Arena (16,000) in 6 minutes after the tickets went on sale.

Add Conor as main event and it easily gets more than 25k, IMO it sells out Wembley. If Joshua v Klitschko can sell 90,000 with a poor undercard then I'm sure the UFC could sell 90,000 as well.

Conor didnt even sell out an 18k arena against Floyd

 

[Coast]

Conor didnt even sell out an 18k arena against Floyd

To be fair though, thats because the average fan was priced out when the cheapest tickets were almost $1,500.

 

[GSPTrainingInAPool]

To be fair though, thats because the average fan was priced out when the cheapest tickets were almost $1,500.

Why would they lower prices at Wembley? unless like @willthiswork says & they make a fan appreciation fight. but can't hold out on that lmao.

It'd be really cool to see a fight at an arena. but those poor folks in the top tier won't see shiiiiit. May as well save $$ and watch on your TV at home rather than the jumbo-tron

 

[Coast]

Why would they lower prices at Wembley? unless like @willthiswork says & they make a fan appreciation fight. but can't hold out on that lmao.

It'd be really cool to see a fight at an arena. but those poor folks in the top tier won't see shiiiiit. May as well save $$ and watch on your TV at home rather than the jumbo-tron

They won't price it like May-Mac because they know the tickets won't sell if they do. The pricing scheme would likely be inline with the UFC's Australian or Canadian Stadium event where they got 56,000 fans to show up.

 

[GSPTrainingInAPool]

They won't price it like May-Mac because they know the tickets won't sell if they do. The pricing scheme would likely be inline with the UFC's Australian or Canadian Stadium event where they got 56,000 fans to show up.

It'd be really cool to see a fight at an arena. but those poor folks in the top tier won't see shiiiiit. May as well save $$ and watch on your TV at home rather than the jumbo-tron

 

[dacofty]

To be fair though, thats because the average fan was priced out when the cheapest tickets were almost $1,500.

Nah I dont think anyone in the UFC can sell out a real stadium

 

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Australia HH fight was a stadium

 

[Enock-O-Lypse Now!]

Been calling this for years!

UFC in Hawaii outdoor Stadium at Night would be unbelievable!

Do it now while Max Holloway is red hot ...he can Headline ...toss in Penn for a retirement fight and Mark Hunt


Everyone would converge and we'd see some traditional Hawaiian ceremonies to open up the event.

 

[tang]

My guess is it's because it costs a certain amount to get a stadium and they are fearful of not turning a profit on it.

I'm surprised they haven't tried a SuperCard in one though to see how it turns out

What ever happened with all that talk with Cowboy stadium? Was that UFC or some other sports talk?

 

[tang]

Been calling this for years!

UFC in Hawaii outdoor Stadium at Night would be unbelievable!

Do it now while Max Holloway is red hot ...he can Headline ...toss in Penn for a retirement fight and Mark Hunt


Everyone would converge and we'd see some traditional Hawaiian ceremonies to open up the event.

I’d love me some original BJ entrance music. I can’t think of anything better, close second is probably Wanderlei’s “sandstorm”

 

[Enock-O-Lypse Now!]

What ever happened with all that talk with Cowboy stadium? Was that UFC or some other sports talk?

April 2010: Dana White - UFC looking to hold event at Cowboys Stadium

"We're definitely, 100 percent going to Cowboys Stadium, no doubt about it. With our sport, people will fly in from all over the world."

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February 2011: Dana White - If the UFC is going to Cowboys Stadium, GSP vs. Silva is the fight that makes sense

"If there was ever a fight we're going to do at Dallas Texas Stadium, this would be the fight," White told MMAWeekly.com about Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre.
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October 2011: UFC looking to run Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Silva vs. Sonnen 2 could headline

"We've been talking to (Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones for a while about doing a fight there," said White at the post-fight press conference. "It's just got to be the right fight. We're definitely going there. It's just a matter of when."

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September 2012: Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Wants The UFC In Cowboys Stadium

"We want to have the big event," Jones said Tuesday morning on his radio show on KRLD-FM 105.3. "That's a goal and a dream of mine to have as a big of a sporting event when we can at Cowboys Stadium. I can assure you that I'm on the incentive plan to get them in there."

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September 2012: Dana White - Ultimate Fighting Championship megafight 'close,' probably at Cowboys Stadium

"I think we're pretty close," White said. "I mean if Georges St-Pierre beats (Carlos) Condit, that could be the next fight. If that fight happens, it will probably happen at Dallas, Tex., stadium."


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November 2012: Cowboys Stadium eyed as host to Silva-GSP

"If Georges St. Pierre against Anderson Silva were to happen, that's the fight you could do at Cowboys Stadium," White said during a media call to promote UFC 154 in Montreal. "We've been talking to (Cowboys Stadium officials) for a while. They're pumped and ready whenever we can bring an event there. They're ready for it."


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November 2012: From ESPN SportsNation chat with Dana White



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January 2013 - Brock vs. Fedor almost happened at Cowboys Stadium

"I told you guys that story before, we were in deep talks with him we were that close to signing him. No [we were close to signing him] recently, right before his dad died...we were right there. When I was talking about doing that big Dallas Texas stadium show it was going to be Brock Lesnar versus Fedor. Remember when I met with him and I said it didn't get well? It actually did go well. It went well and then Fedor's dad died, he wanted to fight Fedor....Fedor was done, he said ‘I want to spend the rest of my life with my family.' We were negotiating for months. And then after his dad died he said, ‘That's it I'm done,' or whatever and then Brock said, ‘I'm done too.'"
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April 2013 - UFC super fight still a possibility in 2013 at Cowboys Stadium

"If we end up doing a super fight," White said "Dallas Cowboys Stadium is one we're looking at."

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May 2013 - Report: UFC hoping for fall event at Cowboys Stadium featuring Jon Jones vs. Anderson Silva and a HW title fight

Nothing was said as far as when or where the match will take place. There is an idea floating around to try and put on the biggest show in company history at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas this fall. Several things would have to fall into place for this to happen, the key being Anderson Silva retaining the middleweight title against Chris Weidman, and not being banged up in the process. In addition, Jon Jones would have to be recovered from his own toe injury, and UFC would have to work out a deal to get the two of them to fight. Each has his own reasons, but neither has exactly clamored to fight the other. Having all those things fall into place makes this very much a longshot of actually happening.

The idea would be to have Silva vs. Jon Jones and Velasquez vs. Dos Santos at the stadium, in October, at the same time as the state fair of Texas, perhaps on 10/12 or 10/19. That much is known to be at least something talked about. With Madison Square Garden seeming more and more unlikely for November, this show could be billed as UFC 20th anniversary show, with the idea of trying to repeat the success of UFC 100.


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July 2013 - Dana White considering Cowboys Stadium for Silva-Weidman II

White plans on calling Silva on Thursday to discuss a rematch. He says it will be the biggest fight in UFC history and is considering holding it at Cowboys Stadium in Texas, which has a capacity of 105,000.


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November 2013: Dana White explains the challenges of bringing UFC to JerryWorld


"We want that stadium," White told me today in a phone interview. "It has to be the right event and we will bring it there in a minute. I went to the Manny Pacquiao fight there and it was just awesome. And it was great to see it at that stadium. I'm sold."

"The other thing about (North Texas) to do it there is that you have to have a Hispanic card. We did that in Houston with (Cain/Dos Santos) and we did great," White said. "I'm sold on it. (Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones is sold on it."



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March 2014: UFC 171 in Dallas sold out; Dana White: AT&T Stadium is still on our radar

"They want us. We want to be there," White said of the Cowboys' home.

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July 2015: UFC looking at holding Aldo vs. McGregor at AT&T Stadium in December

MMAFighting.com confirmed with UFC president Dana White on Friday that this is in fact true, however, White said it would not happen on Dec. 5, rather another date in December, which he did not disclose. No plans have been finalized just yet.

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Information provided from this article: The UFC's Cowboys Stadium promise: A compilation