A general overall aerial view of Lucas Oil Stadium. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Lucas Oil Stadium reaches deal to host WWE’s three biggest events

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Jun 24, 2024 3:08 PM ET

The World Wrestling Federation is a proven money-maker, so it makes sense that the Indiana Sports Group forged a partnership with the sports entertainment company to host its three biggest Premium Live Events over the next few years.

Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, will host the “Royal Rumble” on Feb. 1, 2025, and subsequent “WrestleMania” and “Summer Slam” cards at yet-to-be-determined dates.

Indianapolis has never hosted a “Royal Rumble,” while the last “WrestleMania” in the city took place at the old Hoosier Dome in 1992, and the last “SummerSlam” happened in 2008 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

“We are excited to bring this groundbreaking partnership to Indianapolis and our state,” Indiana Sports Corp. president Patrick Talty said in a release. “For over four decades, our city’s sports strategy has brought in millions of visitors and priceless hours of international brand-building media coverage. This partnership with WWE continues to push that strategy forward in new and exciting ways.”

"You've been the biggest advocate for all these events coming to Indianapolis" ~ @TripleH

Our city is ready to host and these events are gonna be MASSIVE #PMSLive https://t.co/MwMOr8Jcvs pic.twitter.com/3vHyy1FbXa
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 24, 2024

“WrestleMania” is already booked for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in 2025, but it could land in Indianapolis in 2026. Conversely, “SummerSlam” will take place in at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland this year on Aug. 3, and U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis in 2026, leaving the 2025 date potentially open for Indianapolis.

Although financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, it does include “the largest site fee ever for both the ‘Royal Rumble’ and ‘WrestleMania,’” according to the Sports Business Journal.

Per WWE, the combined economic impact of “SummerSlam,” “WrestleMania” and the “Royal Rumble” is north of $300 million. The latter two set all-time records this year for viewership, gate, sponsorship, merchandise sales and social media impressions.

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

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