by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:30 AM ET, Thu March 10, 2016
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
On Tuesday, officials from Florida and World Wrestling Entertainment announced that the Orlando Citrus Bowl will host WrestleMania 33-the largest wrestling event in the world-on Sunday, April 2, 2017.
According to WWE's official website, Florida Governor Rick Scott, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and various WWE officials were on hand for the announcement of the pop-culture extravaganza.
Unlike many other big sporting events, WrestleMania is a week-long celebration that will bring fans to the area for days before and after the pay-per-view spectacular. With Orlando already known as one of the tourism capitals of the United States, the addition of WWE's biggest show will be a perfect fit.
In addition to the WrestleMania event itself, the WWE will also host the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Monday Night Raw, Be a STAR anti-bullying rallies, hospital visits and other community outreach activities while in the Orlando area.
READ MORE: WrestleMania Tourism Body Slams Bay Area
For those unaware of the tourism impact WWE can have on an area, New Orleans was inundated with wrestling fans two years ago for WrestleMania 30, which ended up generating an astounding $142 million for the region.
Orlando will be banking on similar success with WWE in 2017 for WrestleMania 33.
Florida Governor Rick Scott released a statement about the announcement:
"We're excited to bring this event back to Orlando. Florida set a tourism record by welcoming 105 million visitors in 2015, and WWE will help bring even more visitors to Florida in 2017. We're excited WWE once again chose Florida to host WrestleMania."
WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon also released a statement:
"Orlando is the home to so many family-friendly, global attractions so it's only fitting that it once again plays host to WrestleMania. On behalf of everyone at WWE, thank you Governor Scott, Mayor Dyer and Mayor Jacobs for bringing WrestleMania back to the Citrus Bowl."
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