John Cena’s Final Bow: Why Some Fans Are Shocked at $11,500 Ringside Price for His Retirement Match'

The stage is set. December 13, 2025, will mark the end of an era—John Cena, 17-time world champion and arguably the most recognizable face in WWE history, will walk into the ring one last time at Saturday Night’s Main Event from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. 

WWE has now revealed the ticket pricing for Cena’s final match, and the numbers are jaw-dropping. The ultra-premium “TV side ringside” package for Row 1 (Row A) costs $11,500 per ticket. Meanwhile, the second row (Row B) on the ramp side is priced at $9,500, and a fifth-row (Row E) ramp side seat will cost $6,500. Standard tickets range broadly from $250 to $3,000. 

Fans are reacting. Some are excited for a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Others are outraged at what they view as price gouging. Below, we dig into why these prices are so steep, how they compare to past WWE events, and what this means for Cena’s farewell—and for WWE’s relationship with its fanbase.

Something Big Demands A Big Price

Let’s be clear: this is a milestone event. Cena’s last match isn’t just another card; WWE is positioning it as a spectacle, a legacy moment deserving of premium treatment. The ticket packages reflect that.

The “TV side ringside” package doesn’t just buy you the best seat in the house. It comes with extra perks, including all-inclusive preshow hospitality, photo opportunities, exclusive merchandise access, and more, through On Location. 

 It’s built for superfans willing to spend big for more than just the match. Meanwhile, second- and fifth-row ramp side packages include many of the same benefits but are priced lower. 

In addition, WWE moved Cena’s retirement match to D.C. instead of Boston (which had been speculated), reportedly because of a more lucrative site fee.  The choice of Washington, D.C, a major market, reinforces that WWE is aiming for maximum exposure for this farewell.

Also worth noting: this SNME event will stream exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. as part of WWE’s evolving broadcast strategy. That means the live attendance side becomes even more of an event, because the only way to experience it in person is to buy in.

Historic Prices, But Not Entirely Without Precedent

These ticket prices may seem astronomical, but in the world of top-tier wrestling, “special event” pricing is nothing new, though few have pushed it this far.

WWE’s On Location packages for marquee matches have long offered extravagant perks and premium pricing. In recent years, top-tier experiences for WrestleMania and big title matches have crossed the $5,000–$7,000 threshold for VIP access. 

Even so, $11,500 raises the bar. Comparisons are already being made to earlier premium events: one commentary article notes that the highest tier for Cena’s last match exceeds some of the top packages for WrestleMania 42. 

On the flip side, the $250-$3,000 standard ticket bracket is more familiar territory for big WWE events. It ensures some accessibility for casual fans, though even that upper limit is far from cheap for many. 

That said, the gap between “regular fan” seating and VIP “ringside + perks” is now vast, so vast it’s prompting backlash.

Fan Backlash And The Value Debate

Fan sentiment has already swung toward disbelief and anger over what many see as excessive pricing. Headlines calling it “shocking” or “price gouging” have begun to appear.  Some fans argue this is turning a farewell into an exclusive spectacle for the wealthy, rather than a celebration for the entire WWE Universe.

A significant portion of the criticism centers on how drastically the VIP tiers surpass standard ticket prices. For many passionate fans, paying upward of five figures to be part of Cena’s final moment is simply unrealistic, even if the experience is premium.

Another angle is that WWE knows this match will draw huge demand, so why not maximize revenue? Some critics view this as WWE pushing its loyal fan base too far. Supporters argue that once-in-a-career events deserve premium value and that hardcore fans will pay.

Meanwhile, there’s speculation over whether WWE will lean into storytelling in D.C., perhaps having Cena lose in his retirement, not in Boston but in the capital. This strategic booking could either appease or inflame fans depending on how it’s handled.

Why This Farewell Matters (Beyond The Ticket Price)