Big Changes Coming To WrestleMania, Fans Finally Returning

There are big changes coming to WrestleMania. In particular, the event will be two days again and fans are finally returning.

Big Changes Coming To WrestleMania

Big changes were expected for WrestleMania this year and that is what happened. WWE confirmed that WrestleMania 37 will come from Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.

That is a change in location as the event was originally scheduled for Los Angeles’ Sofi Stadium. California is particularly not doing well with COVID, so the change is not a surprise.

At the same time, WWE announced the event will take place over the course of two days. This will be the second time the show is two days, following last year’s format.

WWE also confirmed the locations for WrestleMania 38 and 39.

WrestleMania 38 will see the WWE head to the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on April 3. Then, the show finally comes from the Sofi Stadium for WrestleMania 39 on April 2.

Fans can catch WrestleMania 37 on April 10 and 11.

In the past, WWE announces the location of the biggest show of the year at least 12 months in advance. With everything being so fluid, the company decided and were allowed to book two more WrestleManias into 2023.

Of course, there is no guarantee WWE will be airing shows out of those arenas. With the virus out of control in the United States, nothing is certain.

For most of last year, WWE either ran shows from their Performance Center or ThunderDome. Currently, they have not live fans and are instead using LED screens for a virtual experience.

Fans Finally Returning

One thing WWE will be pleased about is the return of some fans. Florida has some lax rules and Governor Ron DeSantis wants buildings back at 100% capacity.

While WWE has the chance to fill an arena, they will not be doing so. But, there are plans to have some fans back in the coming months.

WWE will use WrestleMania 37 as a way to welcome fans back. There is no word if fans returning will become a weekly thing.  

The company is allowed to run events in Florida as they are considered essential business. That call was made in April 2020 by Governor DeSantis.

Oddly enough, the decision was made a day after Linda McMahon promised the state $18.5 million. The timing is clearly questionable and raises several points of discussion.

As for a number of fans allowed in for WrestleMania 37, the number could be around 14,000.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer hinted that Governor DeSantis was using money as a driving force to reopen places.

“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been selling about 14,000 tickets to Raymond James Stadium for home games,” said Meltzer. “You know, obviously as we all know Ron DeSantis, the Governor of Florida, he’s bought and paid for essentially.”

“So, they’re gonna be able to do whatever they wanna do. I presume this will be their big thing of the first WWE show with fans.”

Raymond James Stadium can hold 65,890, so 14,000 is less than 25% capacity. Still, it is a big change from the zero fans WWE has been working with for the last ten months.

There is currently no seating chart available. Therefore, there is no official word on how close fans will be to each other and the ring.