All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is gearing up for a major year‑end push, announcing a multi-faceted residency strategy that reflects both growth and a return to its more intimate, storied roots. The company will be running a month-long residency at the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in January, and is also planning a comeback to New York City’s legendary Hammerstein Ballroom for its December television tapings.
Esports Stadium Residency: January in Arlington
AEW is returning to the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for a full residency in January 2026. This move is significant for several reasons. First, the company previously held a successful summer residency at the same venue, and now it’s doubling down by returning for an entire month. According to AEW’s announcement, four episodes of Collision are scheduled at the stadium on January 3, January 10, January 24, and January 31.
The decision to return underlines that the Esports Stadium has become something of a reliable home for AEW’s production of Collision. It offers a consistent setup, potentially lower production costs than frequently touring, and a space that AEW already knows works well logistically and crowd‑wise. Early access for premium seating will go on sale ahead of the general public, suggesting AEW expects strong demand for these residency shows.
Return to Hammerstein Ballroom: A Nostalgic Homecoming
Simultaneously, AEW is planning a return to the Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center in New York City this December. The Ballroom holds deep historical significance in professional wrestling. It has hosted legendary ECW shows, ROH (Ring of Honor) events, and has a very intimate, atmospheric setting that hardcore wrestling fans deeply appreciate.
AEW first tapped into this legacy during the holiday season of 2024, running several special shows there that included Dynamite, Collision, and Rampage. That run was met with rave reviews from both critics and fans. It’s believed that AEW’s leadership, especially Tony Khan, was very pleased with how those shows went: not only were they creatively well-received, but they were also reportedly financially successful, with strong ticket pricing and solid TV ratings.
The Strategy Behind the Dual Residency
By combining a modern, high-capacity Esports Stadium run with a nostalgic, intimate Hammerstein Ballroom return, AEW seems to be playing a dual‑pronged strategy:
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Maximizing Production Efficiency: With a month in Arlington, AEW is minimizing the costs and complexities of moving production week to week. They can set up once and run multiple TV tapings smoothly.
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Tapping Into History & Atmosphere: Returning to Hammerstein Ballroom allows AEW to lean into the heritage of pro wrestling. The venue’s iconic status helps create special holiday programming that feels distinct and meaningful. It offers a different kind of energy than large arenas, a more “wrestling‑purist” feel.
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Financial Prudence: Reports suggest that the previous Hammerstein residency generated excellent revenue relative to the venue’s limited capacity. Although the ballroom holds fewer than 1,500 fans, the ticket pricing and reduced logistical costs made the shows very lucrative. Sources say AEW saved a significant amount on moving in and out costs by running consecutive shows there.
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Fan Engagement & Branding: Running in both a cutting-edge modern venue (Esports Stadium) and a legendary historic site (Hammerstein) allows AEW to bridge different segments of its fan base. Younger, potentially more “digital-savvy” fans may gravitate toward the Esports Stadium, while longtime wrestling purists and those drawn to wrestling’s nostalgic side will appreciate the Hammerstein return.
Leadership Vision & Backstage Support
Tony Khan, AEW’s CEO and head of creative, has expressed his enthusiasm about returning to Hammerstein in past interviews. He called the first residency at the ballroom a “tremendous weekend” and suggested that AEW would be very open to making such returns a tradition.
Inside AEW, sources indicate that the company is very supportive of the residency model. The backstage buzz implies that this is not just about saving costs, it’s about creating unique, high-quality TV content in venues that feel special and meaningful, rather than just filling massive arenas week in and week out.
Implications for AEW’s Future
This dual residency could set the template for AEW’s future by blending large-scale, modern venues with classical, intimate ones. It might also encourage AEW to develop more “destination residencies,” where fans might travel to stay for a week or so, rather than just catching shows in rotating cities.
It’s also an indicator that AEW is genuinely serious about long-term sustainability. Instead of just chasing ever-larger arenas, the company seems to be optimizing its touring strategy, balancing revenue, production logistics, and fan experience in a thoughtful way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why is AEW going back to the Esports Stadium in Arlington?
A: AEW had a successful residency there previously, and returning allows for cost-efficient production, stable taping conditions, and a space that has already proven to work well for Collision.
Q: How many AEW shows will be held at the Esports Stadium during this residency?
A: Four Collision episodes are scheduled: January 3, 10, 24, and 31, 2026.
Q: Why is AEW returning to the Hammerstein Ballroom?
A: The Hammerstein Ballroom has historic significance and offers an intimate, atmospheric venue that aligns with AEW’s creative ambitions. Also, the prior residency there was reportedly a strong financial and critical success.
Q: When will AEW tape at the Hammerstein Ballroom next?
A: AEW plans to return in December (year-end) for tapings, including shows like Dynamite and Collision.
Q: Is this a one-off return to Hammerstein, or could it become a tradition?
A: While nothing is officially permanent, Tony Khan has expressed openness to making the Hammerstein Ballroom return a recurring tradition, especially during the holiday season.
Q: Does AEW benefit financially by doing residencies?
A: Yes. By staying in one venue for consecutive shows, AEW saves on move-in/move-out costs. In the case of Hammerstein, even with a smaller attendance, strong ticket pricing gave them higher gate revenue than some larger arena shows.
Q: How will fans buy tickets for these residencies?
A: For the Esports Stadium, AEW is offering Early Access Premium Seating before the general sale. Details for Hammerstein Ballroom tickets will likely follow typical AEW ticket release patterns closer to December.
Q: What does this strategy say about AEW’s future direction?
A: This dual-residency model suggests AEW is focused on optimizing production costs, enhancing fan experience, and embracing both modern and legacy venues. It could become a long-term blueprint for how they run TV and live events.
