World Wrestling Entertainment is expected to announce Tuesday that University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale will host WrestleMania in spring 2010.
This would be the Valley’s first time hosting WrestleMania, which based on past economic impact in other cities, could pack a $35 to $50 million punch to the Valley’s economy. Sullivan’s group dubbed its pitch as “Destruction in the Desert.” A news conference with the WWE, formerly known as the World Wrestling Federation, is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at the stadium. The annual event is the granddaddy of professional wrestling, packing stadiums for the past 25 years. In 1987, the third WrestleMania in Detroit set North America’s largest recorded attendance for an indoor sporting event. More than 93,000 spectators watched Hulk Hogan take down Andre the Giant. WrestleMania is big enough and entertaining enough to draw a range of fans, from young families to seniors. But the biggest fans are guys – 16 to 34 year olds.
Last year’s WrestleMania in Orlando brought 74,635 attendees. WrestleMania kicks off five days before the big show with charity events, parties and interactive wrestling activities for fans.