NJPW Gives Fans Choice to Wear Masks After May 1

Over the weekend, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) announced that things could be changing for crowds at upcoming live events that may be good for the promotion. With the announcement that  masks are no longer needed at live events beginning May 1, one would think there may be a rise in revenue due to more fans attending.

With the strict rules regarding COVID-19 due to the rising outbreaks in Japan, NJPW  took action, and required that everyone wear a mask. Since the threat has somewhat diminished, the promotion is letting the fans make those choices on whether or not to mask after May 1st. However, this rule could be short-lived and changed quickly. COVID-19 numbers rose quickly and affected tons of people. With this news regarding no masks required, the promotion could put that rule back into effect if numbers once again rise and create the urgency that they had before.

NJPW also announced that they would give updates on the meet and greats between fans and wrestlers following events. Again, masks are worn during live events until the end of April 2023.

This may or may not see a rise in attendance and revenue. Some fans may have not attended an NJPW live event because of the stipulations to wear a mask. Now that has been addressed, fans may return to live events, gaining more revenue as the live events take place. NJPW had some of its worst attendance numbers in 2021 during the early days of the pandemic. In 157 live events during 2021, there were roughly 183, 541 fans attending NJPW shows. This averages out to roughly 1,161 fans per show. The pandemic played a big part in revenue as this was the lowest total in some time. In 2019, 410,000, and 2020 there were 223, 903 in paid attendance.

The masks are to be worn up until the Wrestling Satsuma no Kuni event on April 30 in Kumamoto, Japan. NJPW did announce, however, that some areas will continue with the mask requirement. In May, COVID-19 is set to be reclassified under the Japanese Infectious Disease Act with the above information attached.

All of this is set to be a work in progress. The Japanese government has to comply with the orders they are given. This is the closest they have been to full strength since the start of COVID-19. Although some fans might still take the approach of wearing a mask or completely staying away from the live events, this is a growth in the NJPW promotion. There are still ways to go but this news preparing everyone who represents NJPW is heading in the right direction.