All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has confirmed that the third annual Worlds End pay-per-view will take place on December 27, 2025, at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The Tony Khan AEW December Announcement highlights Chicago once again as the host city, continuing a pattern of numerous AEW events centered in the Chicago area despite the promotion’s Jacksonville, Florida base. The announcement coincides with upcoming major events such as Forbidden Door IV and All Out VII, intensifying the spotlight on AEW’s schedule.
The Worlds End event has a short but notable history. It debuted on December 30, 2023, at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, headlined by Samoa Joe defeating MJF to claim the World Championship. The event also featured the first Continental Classic Tournament, which Eddie Kingston won. The following year, the second Worlds End occurred on December 28, 2024, at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida, where Jon Moxley successfully defended the World Championship in a multi-competitor match, and Kazuchika Okada captured the second Continental Classic Tournament title.
Chicago Remains AEW’s Central Hub Despite Growing Criticism
Chicago and its surrounding region have long been AEW’s preferred market. The Khan family, originating from nearby Champaign-Urbana, has frequently brought the majority of AEW’s major shows to The Windy City. The NOW Arena has already hosted important events such as the pre-Khan All In, the inaugural All Out, and several All Out editions including those in 2021, 2022, and 2024, as well as multiple television tapings.
This focus on Chicago is evident again with the Worlds End 2025 announcement. Tickets for the event will go on sale on September 8 at 10 a.m. Central Time through Ticketmaster, with early access given to AEW Insiders. More information on Worlds End will be released in the coming weeks.
Fanbase Reacts With Frustration to Chicago-Centric Scheduling
The continued prioritization of Chicago for AEW’s December pay-per-view has sparked dissatisfaction among fans, both locally and nationwide. Although AEW fans are known for their loyalty, many have expressed disappointment and frustration over the lack of diversity in event locations. The reaction following the Worlds End III announcement reflects this discontent, with even Chicago residents showing signs of annoyance.
“Yo. As someone from Chicago, we definitely needed AEW back. We haven’t gotten many shows. [face exhaling emoji],” wrote one sarcastic user on X.
—User on X
While Chicago’s prominence in AEW’s event calendar may strengthen the promotion’s ties to a key market, the uneven geographic distribution risks alienating audiences elsewhere. Fans from other regions have voiced concerns that Chicago’s repeated hosting overshadows areas that rarely see major AEW shows.
Looking Ahead: AEW’s Strategic Balance of Market Focus and Fan Engagement
The Tony Khan AEW December Announcement underscores a clear business strategy that leans heavily on the Chicago market, which has consistently drawn large crowds and demonstrated strong fan enthusiasm. However, sustaining long-term growth may require AEW to broaden its reach geographically to address the vocal criticism and meet demand in untapped markets.
As AEW gears up for Forbidden Door IV and All Out VII on its calendar, the response to Worlds End 2025 will likely influence future territorial decisions. Balancing regional loyalty with national expansion presents a critical challenge for the promotion and its leadership, including CEO Tony Khan and key figures such as Jon Moxley, Adam Page, and others featured in AEW programming.
