NXT is a WWE brand that features up-and-coming professional wrestlers. Since its inception in 2010, NXT has grown from a seasonal reality competition to a thriving third brand under the WWE umbrella. The television program and live events associated with NXT take place in several key locations.
Full Sail University
The primary filming location for NXT is Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. Full Sail has been home to NXT’s weekly television tapings since 2012. The tapings take place in Full Sail Live, an entertainment venue located on the university’s campus. Full Sail Live can accommodate approximately 400 fans for NXT tapings and TakeOver special events.
NXT moved to Full Sail Live after outgrowing its previous home at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The more intimate setting and passionate NXT fans at Full Sail created a unique atmosphere tailored to the NXT brand. For years, the loud crowds at Full Sail have established it as the heart of the NXT experience.
In addition to the weekly one-hour show on USA Network, Full Sail also hosts periodic tapings for NXT UK. While NXT UK airs on WWE Network and Peacock, the tapings provide an opportunity to weave NXT UK talent into NXT storylines. Holding the international tapings at Full Sail gives NXT UK increased exposure to American audiences.
Capitol Wrestling Center
In 2020, NXT moved into the new WWE ThunderDome residency at Tropicana Field in Tampa, Florida due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When WWE transitioned the ThunderDome to the Yuengling Center in 2021, NXT did not join the main roster brands. Instead, NXT relocated to the Capitol Wrestling Center, an intimate venue at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.
The Capitol Wrestling Center was designed to evoke the feel of Full Sail University’s arena setup with around 100 to 150 fans attending tapings. It provides continuity to the NXT brand while allowing safety measures during the pandemic that are harder to implement in Full Sail’s larger venue. The Capitol Wrestling Center still hosts NXT’s weekly show.
Key Features
- Seating capacity of ~100-150 fans
- LED boards on stage to mimic Full Sail’s distinctive setup
- Themed to resemble an old-school wrestling venue
- Utilizes plexiglass barriers between fan seating pods for safety
WWE has not announced if or when NXT tapings may return to Full Sail when the pandemic impacts lessen. For now, the Capitol Wrestling Center provides a high-quality, intimate setting tailored to the NXT brand.
TakeOver Host Cities
While NXT’s weekly television show originates from one primary location, their TakeOver special events take place in major arenas across the United States and beyond. TakeOver shows are essentially NXT’s equivalent to main-roster WWE pay-per-view events. The first NXT TakeOver took place in May 2014 at Full Sail University.
Here are some of the most frequent host cities and venues for NXT TakeOver events:
City | Venue | TakeOver Events Hosted |
---|---|---|
Brooklyn, NY | Barclays Center | 4 |
Winter Park, FL | Full Sail University | 3 |
Newark, NJ | Prudential Center | 3 |
Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena | 2 |
Chicago, IL | Allstate Arena | 2 |
TakeOver events were held exclusively in the United States until June 2018. Since then, NXT has expanded internationally to Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. TakeOvers in these countries provide opportunities to showcase local NXT UK and NXT Australia talent to a broader audience.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced NXT to hold TakeOver shows without fans at the closed set of the WWE Performance Center and Capitol Wrestling Center in 2020 and 2021. NXT resumed TakeOver events with fans in attendance in September 2021 at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto.
Live Show Locations
In addition to televised events, NXT talent participates in untelevised WWE house shows branded as NXT Live Events. These shows allow the NXT wrestlers to hone their skills in front of live crowds and gives fans in other cities a chance to watch NXT matches live.
NXT Live tours occur periodically and primarily take place in the United States and Canada. The shows are typically held in smaller venues with capacities ranging from 500 up to 5,000 fans. Many past tours have focused on major markets like New York, Philadelphia, Massachusetts, Florida, Chicago, and Southern California.
Internationally, NXT Live has toured larger markets in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and Australia. Tours in the UK and Europe often coincide with the local NXT UK brand. NXT talent will sometimes also participate in WWE’s larger international tours.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, NXT has not held any live show tours. It remains uncertain when NXT Live events will resume on a widespread basis. However, tours allow both NXT wrestlers and fans a unique experience that will likely return when safely possible.
Conclusion
Though NXT tapes weekly TV primarily in one place, the brand has established a far-reaching footprint through TakeOver specials and Live tours. NXT has used large TakeOver events to increase visibility and draw new fans both domestically and abroad. Meanwhile, Live show tours bring the NXT experience to eager supporters across North America and Europe.
NXT’s model has proven effective in growing from a small developmental system into WWE’s dynamic third brand. By taping TV in an intimate setting, while expanding reach through special events and tours, NXT spotlights up-and-coming talent in a distinctive way. The brand has carved out a unique identity within WWE’s broader landscape.