The Raymond James Stadium will host approximately 25,000 fans for each of the two nights at WrestleMania 37
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It has been more than a year since the World of wrestling witnessed spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WWE has hosted events out of the Performance Center and the famous Thunderdome and its staging system, which has been produced at both the Amway Center as well as the Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Not to forget, WWE has made the best out of the worst situation with virtual fans at the stadium and various other great ways to engage fans. Since numerous states have been loosening their COVID-19 restrictions, there have been speculations of fans returning to ringside. Back in the summer of 2020, Vince McMahon was hopeful that fans could return at SummerSlam but it clearly wasn’t possible then. Things have changed a lot recently due to the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines and people taking better care and it has encouraged the WWE management to bring fans back ringside.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported in 2020 that it was relocating WrestleMania 37 to Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida as health orders of the pandemic in California made it difficult for the event to be held with spectators. In late August, Florida changed their rules regarding capacity limits for sporting events but local sports organizations have maintained minimum capacity in the stadiums. On the 7th of February, the stadium even hosted the Super Bowl which had a total attendance of 24,385 spectators. This only meant great news for WWE fans, who will finally be back in the stands cheering their superstars.
WWE announced that WrestleMania 37 would now be a two-day mega event held on the 10th and 11th of April. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter said that WWE is planning to have a maximum attendance of 30,000 fans for each night but are hoping to take it to full capacity which is 45,000 if things are approved by the stae of Florida. On March 17th however, the Tampa Bay Times confirmed that a maximum of 25,000 fans would be allowed for both the nights of WrestleMania 37 and the attendees would be separated by pods to maintain social distancing. We can’t wait for all the action to unfold and for the wrestling superstars themselves, it will be incredible to finally have the energy lift in the stadium with the presence of 25,000 fans to get the adrenaline pumping!
[Image Credit: WWE]
Shashank Iyer