Wrestling’s Economic Spectrum: A Sport for All Income Levels

Apr 21, 2025

Pro wrestling

Image credit: Claudia Raya via Unsplash

Professional wrestling captivates a significant portion of the American audience, with 50% of surveyed individuals expressing some level of interest. This survey, conducted among 2,078 U.S. users of CivicScience’s digital platforms, reveals intriguing distinctions between fans and non-fans.

Among the respondents, 31% identified as fans of professional wrestling, while 19% showed some interest. In contrast, 42% of participants stated they were not fans at all. This division highlights a notable split in public opinion regarding the sport’s appeal.

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Gender plays a significant role in wrestling fandom. Male respondents dominate the fan base, comprising 68% of those who enjoy wrestling, compared to 32% of female fans. This gender disparity suggests that professional wrestling resonates more with men than women.

Parental status also influences wrestling interest. Among fans, 42% are parents, indicating that family dynamics might play a role in their engagement with the sport. Meanwhile, 40% of fans are neither parents nor grandparents, suggesting a diverse range of life stages among enthusiasts.

Education levels among fans reveal that those with a high school education or some college experience are more likely to enjoy wrestling. Specifically, 35% of fans have completed high school or obtained a GED, while 28% have some college experience. This trend suggests that wrestling appeals to individuals with varying educational backgrounds.

Urbanicity further distinguishes wrestling fans from non-fans. Fans are more likely to reside in cities or suburbs, with 36.0% living in urban areas and 35% in suburban settings. This urban-suburban preference contrasts with the 25% of fans residing in rural areas, indicating that wrestling’s appeal may be stronger in more densely populated regions.

Age demographics reveal that the 55-64 age group is the most likely to be fans, accounting for 21.0% of the fan base. This finding challenges the stereotype that wrestling primarily attracts younger audiences. Additionally, 18% of fans are 65 or older, further emphasizing the sport’s cross-generational appeal.

Income levels among fans show a tendency toward lower household earnings. A significant 30% of fans report annual incomes between $0 and $29,999, suggesting that wrestling may hold particular appeal for individuals in lower income brackets. This contrasts with the 18% of fans earning between $50,000 and $74,999, highlighting a diverse economic spectrum among enthusiasts.

In summary, professional wrestling’s fan base is characterized by a diverse array of demographics, with notable distinctions in gender, parental status, education, urbanicity, age, and income. These insights provide a nuanced understanding of the sport’s appeal across different segments of the American population.

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This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights. Our AI content creation tool, DataScribe, supported the article.

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