TNA Wrestlings fan attendance continues to be a hot topicand now a former wrestler is claiming that free tickets were a regular part of the game.
On the January 17, 2026 episode of the Caf de Ren podcast, former TNA talent Master Emir claimed that during his time with the company in 2025, TNA regularly gave out free tickets in an effort to boost live event attendance. But according to him, it still wasnt enough to fill venues.
While Emir didnt single out Bound for Glory or any specific show, his claim adds fuel to the broader conversation around how TNA has managed its crowdsespecially during a time when the company is trying to rebuild its identity and presence on national TV through its new AMC deal.
The debate over comp tickets came into full view back in October 2025 when TNA announced a record 7,794 fans in attendance at Bound for Glory. That number drew immediate skepticism, with some online voices alleging that as many as 3,000 of those tickets were comped.
In response, former TNA World Champion Moose addressed the claims on social media, slamming the idea that the record crowd was faked. Moose pointed to the pastwhen he and stars like The Hardys, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, and Lashley performed at Universal Studios in front of 150 fans, all of whom got in for free due to venue restrictions.
He acknowledged that a few hundred comps for sponsors, friends, and media are commonbut dismissed the idea that TNA gave away thousands of seats.
But Master Emirs firsthand story paints a different picturesuggesting that at least some shows in 2025 were far from packed, even with aggressive efforts to bring people in for free.
Whats your take on TNAs live attendance strategy? Are free tickets part of the hustle, or does this hurt the brands credibility? Sound off in the comments and let us know.
