It has become clear that WWE is set on hosting the biggest show of the year in football stadiums and in warm weather. With that said let’s take a look at potential locations for WrestleMania 35.
Now before I jump into my list, I need to share my criteria on why I picked certain cities and stadiums. First off, the city has to be capable of hosting a big spectacle, which means there needs to be plenty of hotels to support 50,000+ tourists. This would eliminate most college towns in SEC and PAC-12 country.
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The next requirement is a warmer climate. Sorry Northern states, but there is something comforting about wearing shirts and shorts while tailgating the biggest event of the year, and not worrying about if a cold front is going to effect my annual vacation. Yes, WrestleMania 29 did work well, but we did get lucky.
The final check on the list falls in the stadium category. WrestleMania is a show built all around the fan experience, and the stadium plays a big part in the live presentation of the show. There is something special about walking into AT&T Stadium and getting excited before the first match even starts.
I used this criteria to choose my list.
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – JULY 26: Cee Lo Green sings the National Anthem prior to the International Champions Cup 2017 match between the Juventus and the Paris Saint-Germain at Hard Rock Stadium on July 26, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
5. Miami, FL (Hard Rock Stadium)
As recent as it may seem that WrestleMania was in Miami, by the time WrestleMania 35 would roll around it, would be seven years since South Beach hosted the show. There is precedent in the case for Miami to bring WrestleMania back as well.
Orlando was the home of Wrestlemania 33, following renovations on what is now Camping World Stadium. In the past year there have been renovations made on Hard Rock Stadium to improve the fan experience.
Besides the improvements made to Hard Rock Stadium, the city of Miami is one capable of handling a big event. Miami can more than accommodate the tourists that WrestleMania brings in. In fact, Miami makes Orlando look like a small town.
In general WrestleMania is a vacation for most wrestling fans, and I know that I would rather be sipping on a Mojito by the water than wearing a coat waiting at a hot dog stand.
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Fireworks are seen during the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl 51 Halftime Show at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
4. Houston, TX (NRG Stadium)
At number four, I have another returning city listed, Houston. By 2019, the statute of limitations will have run out on the “ugh…WrestleMania was just here”. Currently Houston is going through tough times, but I would expect the city to come back stronger than ever.
Dallas was the most recent Texas city to host WrestleMania, and I could not help but think how much better Houston as a city would be equipped for a big event like WrestleMania. Houston, as the most populated city in Texas, has more to offer from a tourist standpoint, whether it be restaurants, bars, clubs, or even visiting the Space Center Houston.
There are some states that will just have an opportunity to host more big WWE events than others. Those are states like Florida, California, and yes, Texas. Remember everything is bigger in Texas.
While Houston as a city takes care of my concerns, let’s move on to the stadium. NRG stadium is still a relatively new stadium and has not needed the renovations that some of the previously mentioned Florida stadiums has needed. There is also a proven track record for Houston hosting big events like bowl games and even the Super Bowl. So what do you say Houston? Are you up for another WrestleMania?
USA and France at Nissan Stadium on March 6, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
3. Nashville, TN (Nissan Stadium)
Finally, we get some fresh blood on this list. Nashville is the most intriguing city on my list because I can already picture the hokey marketing campaign used for a WrestleMania in Nashville. The same way Bourbon Street and jazz will be the theme of this next WrestleMania, you can count on country music and cowboy hats if Nashville was chosen to host the following year.
Now I must admit that I have never been to Nashville, but I hear the same sentiment from everyone who comes back. “Nashville is the city you drive to and realize you are no longer in the Northeast.” There is a different culture to this city that I’ve been told you just have to experience.
There is an exciting appeal to the possibility of WrestleMania not falling into a pattern and rotating between the same 10 cities. Nashville might not be New York City, Miami, or New Orleans, but isn’t that the point?
While Nissan Stadium is not yet 20 years old, the stadium is at a disadvantage with billion-dollar stadiums being constructed around the country annually. In no way is Nissan Stadium falling apart, but the lack of innovation with the stadium is what keeps me from listing Nashville higher on my list.
Still number three is not too bad.
SAN DIEGO, CA – JANUARY 01: A General View of the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a game at Qualcomm Stadium on January 1, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
2. San Diego, CA (Qualcomm Stadium)
Now I understand if I had a problem with Nissan Stadium, then I should definitely have a problem with Qualcomm Stadium. Qualcomm Stadium opened in 1967, and compared to the rest of the stadiums on this list is pre-historic. Also there is uncertainty with the future of Qualcomm Stadium since the lease with San Diego State Football, the Holiday Bowl, and the Poinsettia Bowl all expire in 2018.
So why in the world is San Diego number two on my list? Easy, the city needs it.
When you think about it, San Diego is a perfect fit for WrestleMania. Let’s start with the elephant in the room. The city has lost it’s football team, and the Padres rarely give the people of San Diego a reason to get excited. This right here should be enough incentive for San Diego to place a bid for WrestleMania.
But, why should WWE want to bring their biggest show of the year to San Diego? Well, San Diego has a proven track record with big events. Look at the last 30 years. San Diego has hosted three Super Bowls, and as much as WrestleMania has grown, it is not quite the spectacle that the Super Bowl is.
Next, we know that it is a much more enjoyable experience for the fans when the event is in a warmer environment. According to CurrentResults.com, San Diego in the month of April averages highs between 65 to 70 degrees and lows of 54 to 58 degrees, while only averaging four days of rain throughout the entire month.
Outdoor stadiums always bring anxiety when it comes to WrestleMania Sunday, and San Diego provides something that many other cities cannot, consistency.
ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 26: A general view of Mercedes-Benz Stadium prior to the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals on August 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
1. Atlanta, GA (Mercedes Benz Stadium)
You remember how I talked about billion-dollar stadiums being built annually? Well this is the newest, biggest, and baddest addition to the club. The Mercedes Benz Stadium was built around the ultimate fan experience whether you are front row or up in the “nose-bleeds”. WWE usually struggles to sell upper level seats to WrestleMania, but a stadium like the one in Atlanta might make this task a bit more manageable.
Atlanta last hosted WrestleMania in 2011, but that was in the Georgia Dome. If all it took was renovations and seven years to convince me that Miami was set for another WrestleMania, then eight years and a billion-dollar stadium should do the trick for Atlanta.
Now onto theme. If you can see a country theme for Nashville, then a hip-hop theme is a must for the “ATL”.
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What makes Atlanta perfect for WrestleMania is that it is a large city that can accommodate the wave of wrestling fans flocking in, warm weather come April, a retractable roof in case of bad weather, and an expensive new fan friendly stadium.
Atlanta checks every box on the list, and that is why the Mercedes Benz Stadium would be my choice to host WrestleMania 35.