WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) has a long history of hosting events in Cardiff, Wales, but their future plans for the city remain uncertain. As a major hub in the UK, Cardiff has proven to be a popular location over the years. However, with WWE adjusting their touring schedules and event locations, the question lingers if Cardiff will remain a regular stop or fade from prominence.
When has WWE been to Cardiff in the past?
WWE has been hosting events in Cardiff for over 30 years. While the frequency has varied, Cardiff has been one of WWE’s most consistent stops in the whole of the UK.
Some of the major WWE events held in Cardiff include:
- WWE Raw – 1993, 2001, 2006, 2010, 2012
- WWE SmackDown – 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2016
- WWE Rebellion – 1999, 2001
- WWE No Mercy – 2007
- WWE Survivor Series – 1992, 2000, 2010
- WWE NXTTakeOver: Cardiff – 2019
As you can see, WWE has made Cardiff a regular part of their touring plans for nearly 30 years. The Survivor Series pay-per-view has been held there three times, which is a sign of the city’s popularity.
What events are planned for Cardiff in the near future?
At the moment, there are no WWE events scheduled to take place in Cardiff through the end of 2023 or into 2024. The last WWE event in Cardiff was the NXT UK TakeOver in August 2019.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal touring and events for over two years, WWE is still working to re-solidify their typical event schedule. Many locations have yet to see WWE return on a consistent basis.
So unfortunately, as of now, there are no imminent plans for WWE to return to Cardiff that have been made public. However, history suggests that it is likely only a matter of time before Cardiff is included in touring plans again.
What factors will determine if WWE comes back?
There are a few key factors that will determine if and when WWE brings a live event back to Cardiff:
- Venue Availability – WWE requires a major arena with significant capacity to host their events. In Cardiff, they have often used the Motorpoint Arena, which can seat 5,000+ fans. Venue availability here and getting dates booked will be crucial.
- Ticket Sales/Demand – WWE events must be able to draw enough fans consistently to make the trip worthwhile. Given Cardiff’s strong crowd history, this is unlikely to be a problem when they do return.
- Regional Supply/Demand Balance – WWE aims to balance events regionally in the UK and rotate through different major markets. Cardiff will need to maintain priority over other potential stops like Glasgow, Manchester, etc.
- Logistics – With a centralized location, Cardiff offers WWE convenience for touring. But other factors like costs and routing between venues also come into play logistically.
If Cardiff remains a viable location in all these areas, WWE will certainly look to return. Their long history suggests strong potential to be a regular stop once again.
How soon could WWE realistically return?
Realistically, the earliest WWE could return to Cardiff would likely be sometime in 2024, given their current schedule outlook.
It typically takes at least 6-12 months for WWE to plan major arena events in a given city. With no dates yet announced for 2024 UK tours, Cardiff may have to wait until 2025 or beyond.
However, WWE sometimes adds “unplanned” or rescheduled events, so there is always potential for Cardiff to get a show booked on shorter notice. But fans shouldn’t expect to see WWE back in the next 12 months based on their typical timelines.
The planning process involves many steps – venue negotiation, ticket sales, promotion schedules, and more. WWE will want to ensure any Cardiff event has full lead time to maximize success.
But in all likelihood, Cardiff should remain atop the list of UK markets WWE looks to return to once regular touring resumes. The city’s loyalty over three decades will not be forgotten.
Will WWE favor other UK cities over Cardiff now?
It’s unlikely that WWE will outright favor other UK cities over Cardiff in their future plans. If anything, Cardiff may be among the first cities WWE returns to.
Cardiff has several advantages that make it a logical priority:
- A large arena venue that WWE has an extensive history with.
- A centralized location that fits smoothly into broader UK tours.
- A passionate WWE fanbase that provides lively crowds.
- Decades of proven ticket sales and turnouts for events.
For these reasons, Cardiff has been one of WWE’s most regularly featured UK markets over the years. While they may shuffle dates between venues, abandoning Cardiff completely would make little strategic sense given the city’s perks.
The only scenario where Cardiff could fall in priority is if other major UK venues significantly outbid or incentivize WWE to come to their city instead. But even then, Cardiff’s track record ensures it will remain in the mix for high-profile WWE events going forward.
How has WWE’s UK presence changed in recent years?
WWE’s overall presence in the UK has undergone some shifts in the past decade that may be impacting Cardiff’s status. A few key changes:
- WWE now runs the NXT UK brand specifically for the region, including several live events focused there.
- The UK Championship and NXT UK Women’s Championship have been established as titles.
- The UK Performance Center training facility opened in London in 2019.
- NXT UK TakeOver events have been held in locations like Blackpool and Cardiff.
This increased investment in a local UK brand may be influencing how WWE approaches broader touring plans. Some speculative impacts could include:
- More events focused in the southeast region near London to tie into NXT UK.
- Rotation of TakeOver events between major UK markets like Cardiff.
- Reduced frequency for main roster Raw and SmackDown tours outside London.
So while WWE may still come to Cardiff on occasion, the growth of their NXT UK division could see the city host fewer marquee main roster events and pay-per-views moving forward.
Conclusion
In summary, while Cardiff’s status is currently in flux, there are good reasons to believe WWE will continue featuring the city as a regular tour stop again soon. The local fan passion, venue logistics, and successful history make Cardiff a frontrunner to resume hosting events once touring normalizes.
It may take time for Cardiff to see the return of top shows like Survivor Series or even a WrestleMania someday. But WWE knows the Welsh capital’s ability to deliver energetic crowds. When WWE is ready to expand touring, expect Cardiff to be high on the list to benefit in the UK.