The Central Florida city of Tampa has long been a hotbed for professional wrestling. Hulk Hogan, the most recognizable face in pro wrestling during the 1980s and ’90s, was born there. Thirty years ago, Dory Funk Jr. captured the National Wrestling Alliance world heavyweight title against Canadian star Gene Kiniski at Tampa’s Fort Homer Hesterly Armory.
Now, the city is set to host wrestling’s version of the Super Bowl.
World Wrestling Entertainment officials and city officials have called a news conference for Thursday and are expected to announce that WrestleMania 36 will be held at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium on April 5, 2020, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
This will mark the fourth time the event has been held in Florida. Orlando was the site of the marquee event in 2008 and 2017, while Miami hosted it in 2012.
This year’s event is April 7 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Tampa Bay Sports Commission confirmed last year it had submitted a bid last May to host the event either in 2023, 2024 or 2025, the Times reported. Neither the WWE nor the Tampa Bay Sports Commission have confirmed this year's venue, the newspaper reported.
The event typically draws more than 70,000 fans. The attendance record of 101, 763, was set on April 3, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The first WrestleMania, held March 31, 1985, drew 19,121 to Madison Square Garden in New York City.
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