Large crowd descends on Levi's Stadium for WrestleMania
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- WrestleMania 31 could bring record crowds to the new venue and for local officials it may be a dry run for Super Bowl 50.
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WrestleMania fans unleashed their passion in the Levi's Stadium parking lot and did some tailgating before the big event Sunday afternoon.
Some fans dressed up like Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold. Fans say bringing WrestleMania to the Bay Area is a lifelong dream. "If you're big on entertainment, this is the entertainment of the year, of the century, whatever you want to call it," Kirk Bragas said.
The bigger than life characters from the WWE have sold out Levi's Stadium, which holds a capacity crowd of more than 70,000.
The show could pump $100 million into the local economy.
"They're here it's amazing to see them, just to actually say 'I was there,"' Jasmine Gomez said.
"It's all about coming out, having a good time. It's like the Super Bowl of wrestling," Marlon Brown said.
Stadium officials say when it comes to crowd control and security, this will be the perfect dry run for next year's Super Bowl.
The staff says bring it on. "I think we're well prepared. We've had some big events here, this maybe the biggest one so far, but we're ready," Patrick Collins said.
"Because we love wrestling and it's all about the long life tradition of just coming out here and being the best you can," a fan said.
An estimated $140 million will be spent in the area during the event. Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews is also using this chance to prep for Super Bowl 50 next year.
