New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and WWE announced today that its annual pop culture extravaganza, WrestleMania XXIX, will come to MetLife Stadium on Sunday, April 7, 2013, with events throughout the New York/New Jersey region.
Gov. Christie was joined by WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, New York Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson, New York Football Giants president and CEO John Mara, NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta, and WWE senior vice president of special events John Saboor to make the announcement at a news conference being held today.
WWE Superstars John Cena®, Triple H®, Sheamus®, Mark Henry®, Brie and Nikki Bella™ and special guest Dwayne "The Rock®" Johnson were also on hand at MetLife Stadium for the historic announcement.
"We are excited to be hosting WrestleMania XXIX in the great state of New Jersey," said Gov. Christie. "Having WWE's preeminent international event here will strengthen both the regional and local economies and continue to showcase MetLife Stadium as a world-class venue for sports and entertainment. Fans will travel from around the world to enjoy and participate in the WWE's biggest event of the year."
A week-long celebration, WrestleMania has generated more than $200 million in cumulative economic impact for its past four host regions. The 2013 event will mark WrestleMania's fifth trip to the metropolitan area with past visits in 1985, 1986, 1994 and 2004.
"WWE would like to thank Gov. Christie, the New York Jets, the New York Giants and NYC & Company for rolling out the red carpet to host WWE's biggest event of the year," said McMahon. "We look forward to making history and adding MetLife Stadium to the list of iconic venues that have hosted WrestleMania."
"When WrestleMania comes to town, related activities will occur throughout the New York and New Jersey area, but we are looking forward to hosting the main event," said Johnson. "We are confident that both the Superstars and fans of WWE will feel at home in MetLife Stadium."
"WrestleMania has long been considered one of the most successful sports entertainment events in the world," said Mara. "We are thrilled to welcome the highly anticipated 29th installment to MetLife Stadium."
WrestleMania Week activities will occur throughout the New York/New Jersey region, including the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony; WrestleMania Axxess, WWE's interactive fan festival; Make-A-Wish Pizza Party hosted by John Cena; Monday Night Raw; the finals of the WrestleMania Reading Challenge, and other community-based events.
"NYC & Company looks forward to partnering with New Jersey on another world-class event in the tri-state area," said Fertitta. "We invite all WWE fans to visit New York City for its unparalleled shopping, dining, cultural and entertainment options across the five boroughs that will surely make WrestleMania Week an unforgettable experience."
The pay-per-view event will be televised in more than 100 countries and in 30 languages. In 2011, a sold-out crowd of 71,617 fans from all 50 states and 30 countries converged on the Georgia Dome for WrestleMania XXVII. This year WrestleMania XXVIII takes place Sunday, April 1, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami. The main event will feature the highly anticipated match between John Cena and The Rock.
About WWE
WWE Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly US PG-rated content across all of its platforms, including television programming, pay-per-view, digital media, publishing and studios. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and in 30 languages, reaching more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Mexico City. Additional information on WWE can be found at corporate.wwe.com.
About MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium, home to the Jets and Giants, sets the standard for venue excellence with state-of-the-art technology, comfort and amenities. The only active venue to serve as the home stadium for two NFL teams, MetLife Stadium hosts 20 NFL games per season, more than any other stadium.
With a full gameday seating capacity of 82,500, MetLife Stadium is the largest stadium in the National Football League. It boasts numerous dining options and a rail line that drops guests directly at the front door. During its inaugural year in 2010, the stadium was selected to host Super Bowl XLVIII and in 2014 will become history's first open-air venue in a cold-weather region to hold football's biggest game.
In 2011, MetLife Stadium was ranked No. 1 for safety by Security magazine's "Security 500" in the arenas/stadiums/leagues/ entertainment division, and for the second consecutive year was cited by Billboard magazine as the highest-grossing stadium in North America. For more information, visit metlifestadium.com.
About NYC & Company
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.
About New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority
The New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority manages the MetLife Sports Complex property in East Rutherford, NJ, consisting of the IZOD Center, the Meadowlands Racetrack, and MetLife Stadium. The Authority operates the IZOD Center, one of North America's top entertainment venues, provides substantial services to MetLife Stadium, and leases the Meadowlands Racetrack to a private operator. In addition, the Sports Authority owns and operates Monmouth Park Racetrack, Woodbridge Off-Track Wagering and 4 NJ Bets Account Wagering, and oversees the Wildwoods Convention Center. The NJSEA constructed the Atlantic City Convention Center, the state aquarium in Camden, and athletic facilities at Rutgers, the State University, and renovated historic Boardwalk Hall. WrestleMania XXIX Announcement Photos
