Mark Shapiro: Minneapolis Was The Favorite For WWE WrestleMania 41, Las Vegas ‘Trumped Them’

It seems like Las Vegas is gearing up to host WWE WrestleMania 41, beating out Minneapolis, which was initially favored. WWE confirmed Las Vegas as the host city, marking a significant event for wrestling fans. Despite this, Minneapolis won’t host WrestleMania for now but will instead hold a two-night SummerSlam event in 2026. The news was discussed by TKO President Mark Shapiro during the TKO Quarterly Financials Call, as reported by Jeremy Lambert of Fightful.

Mark Shapiro highlighted Ari Emanuel’s focus on “festivalizing” their events, aiming to expand them beyond their current scope. This includes incorporating elements like concerts, weigh-ins, and culinary experiences, similar to what’s seen at events such as the US Open in New York. The goal is to make these events not only appealing to hardcore sports fans but also to create a cultural attraction that extends over multiple days.

Shapiro emphasized that by extending the duration of events from one to potentially three days, they can meet the desires expressed by cities. This extension could encourage cities to invest more through their tourism bureaus. TKO is committed to enhancing event quality, timeline, duration, and content while leveraging competition among cities to negotiate favorable terms.Mark Shapiro pointed out that WWE could have chosen Minneapolis for WrestleMania, as they appeared to be the frontrunner for a significant period. However, Las Vegas ultimately outbid and outmaneuvered them in the end. Shapiro emphasized transparency in their dealings with cities and local officials, making clear what is required and leveraging their relationships and the demand for their content to secure favorable terms. This approach underscores TKO’s strategy of using its influence to maximize the benefits and attractiveness of hosting their events.