Expo Lucha will not take place in Philadelphia this year as originally scheduled and the event will now be postponed until 2021.
Masked Republic, promoters of Expo Lucha, made the announcement earlier this afternoon and issued the following statement:
We’re just as bummed as you if not more – but, it’s the right thing to do given that we are not even confident that if we kept the date, we would legally be allowed to hold the event due to COVID.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON POSTPONEMENT OF EXPO LUCHA: PHILADELPHIA
Over the past month, we have continued to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the ability to hold live events and conventions safely this August. The health and safety of Expo Lucha performers, vendors and attendees is of paramount importance to us. We have continued to discuss potential plans and alternatives on a daily basis over the last seven weeks. Additionally, due to several indicators from both the Federal and local governments, we do not believe that,
come August, we would legally be able to hold an event of this magnitude at the 2300 Arena.
Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to postpone Expo Lucha: Philadelphia until June 12-13, 2021. All tickets purchased for the original August 15-16, 2020 dates will be honored for the new dates. All Platinum (currently sold out) and Gold VIP packages will be honored for the new
dates. Ticket holders who secured one of the limited spots for Lucha Bowl will have the same spot secured for the 2021 Lucha Bowl event. VIP attendees who were set to attend the special Konnan Q&A on Friday night, August 14th will also be granted access to the special Q&A now set to take place on Friday, June 11, 2021.
Any other questions regarding the event postponement and ticket can be directed to info@expolucha.com.
While 2020 may not be the year we had all hoped for, Masked Republic and FanGirl Consulting & Brand Management have continued to work hard on plans to expand the number of annual Expo Lucha events beginning in 2021 and we look forward to bringing our one-of-a-kind event and experience to a city near you.
For all of the latest updates on Expo Lucha, please continue to check ExpoLucha.com and follow Expo Lucha on social media.
From the entire Expo Lucha family to you and yours, we hope everyone remains, healthy, happy and safe.
Expo Lucha is a weekend-long event in its third year, previously being hosted in Las Vegas and San Diego; this year’s event was set for Philadelphia to celebrate the 25th anniversary of luchadores invading ECW and the United States wrestling scene. Talent already confirmed for the 2021 event includes Dr. Wagner Jr., Super Crazy, Psicosis, Juventud Guerrera, Solar, Mascarita Dorada, Dragon Lee, Laredo Kid and more.
Read More: Masked Republic Launches New Lucha Central Website, Announces ‘Lucha Central Network’ Coming In May
Masked Republic is one of the premier brands in the world of Lucha libre merchandising and they aim to make the Mexican wrestling culture more accessible to fans in the United States.
When speaking to Wrestlezone, Masked Republic’s Kevin Kleinrock said he wants the legacy of the brand to be that of a multi-platform entertainment company and a licensing company that can fairly represent the wrestlers, entertainment properties and brands. He says there are so many good indie shows and events going on that they’re focused on bringing entertainment in new ways and to new markets that might not otherwise have that chance.
“We started our Expo Lucha convention to be the ‘Lucha Libre Comic Con’ and we’re working on expanding that brand to be completely separate as a way to bring legends, icons and the hottest stars of today to fanbases and towns that don’t normally get to see these stars. I had an adult man come up to me at Expo Lucha this past year in San Diego with tears in his eyes, [telling me] ‘I grew up idolizing Octagon and I never in a million years thought I would have a chance to meet my idol of my youth. Thank you so much for bringing him here.’
“Those moments are why we have to keep doing Expo Lucha. It’s great for the luchadors too, to be go to cities and be embraced by fanbases that wouldn’t normally have a chance to see them. Las Vegas and San Diego—where we’ve had Expo Lucha the first two years, they’ve had lucha shows before—but never a two-day event of multiple shows, dozens and dozens of wrestlers. In August we’re bringing it to the former ECW Arena in Philadelphia to celebrate the 25th anniversary of [the US invasion of lucha libre] in ECW and the lasting impact it has had.”
“We are truly a company that’s going to touch live events, TV, film, merchandising and beyond, and be a way for us to build something special, but also a way to give these luchadors opportunities beyond what they’ve ever had before, to be treated as real athletes and real icons of culture.”
Check out Kleinrock’s full interview, part of our Best For The Business series, at this link.
