WrestleMania could have $175 million dollar economic impact on Tampa

WWE’s WrestleMania 36 is just over a month away! The showcase of the immortals takes over Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on April 5. The night before, on April 4, the superstars of NXT will put on a show at Amalie Arena. NXT’s Takeover events are often the most buzzed about shows across the globe.  

WrestleMania is massive — and it only makes sense that the event would be hosted in Florida. The WWE’s performance center is located in Orlando. The company’s NXT program is filmed at Full Sail University in Winter Park. Superstars past and present like Dave Bautista and John Cena all live in the Tampa Bay area.

New wrestling company forms in Florida

Florida is also where All Elite Wrestling, what could turn out to be WWE’s first real competition in the sports entertainment market in years, first launched. The company is backed by Jacksonville Jaguars owner Tony Khan and has hosted several major shows in the state, including Bash at the Beach in Miami. 

This is all to say Florida is clearly a wrestling state that will turn out in droves for this spectacle. This means hotels will be booked up.  Restaurants, bars, museums, the aquarium and more will have a whole new stream of customers throughout the WrestleMania week and weekend round of activities.

Major financial impact in Tampa

NOLA.com’s Gene Guillot reports that WrestleMania 34 generated $175 million in economic impact for New Orleans.  A release from the WWE states WrestleMania 34, which took place in Orlando, generated $181 million in economic impact. More than 75,000 fans attended that event and 79% of the fans that attended from out of state stayed in Orlando for an average of 5 nights.

We’re all for generating that kind of impact in the Tampa Bay region. You can learn more about the event by visit the WrestleMania website. 

So far, the confirmed matches include Brock Lesnar vs Drew McIntyre for the WWE Heavy Championship, and Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women’s Championship. 

AJ Styles is rumored to face The Undertaker for what is sure to be a hellacious encounter. Rey Mysterio, The Fiend Bray Wyatt, Goldberg, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Becky Lynch and Shayna Bazler are also rumored for the supposed 14-match card.