Could the Emerald Isle be the next landmark destination for WWE’s biggest event of the year?
A local Irish government official has gone on record stating that Ireland is “well placed” to mount a credible bid for a future WrestleMania — and he’s prepared to take the pitch all the way to the Irish government.
Kilkenny Councillor Maurice Shortall spoke with the Irish Mirror this week, making a passionate case for why Ireland should throw its hat in the ring to host sports entertainment’s grandest stage.
“Ireland is well placed to present a credible and competitive bid for WrestleMania, given our strong international tourism brand, proven track record in hosting major events, and global reputation as a welcoming destination,” Shortall said.
WWE Already Looking Abroad
The timing of Shortall’s comments is no coincidence. WWE recently confirmed that WrestleMania will go international for the first time in 2027, with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia becoming the first non-North American city to host the event. That announcement has opened the floodgates of interest from countries and cities around the world eager to land what is widely considered one of the most lucrative live events on the global calendar.
Ireland isn’t alone in the hunt. Nashville, Tennessee has also been reported as a city expressing serious interest in hosting a future WrestleMania, meaning competition for the coveted slot will be stiff.
Why Ireland Could Make Sense
Shortall’s pitch leans heavily on Ireland’s established credentials as a world-class event host. The country has successfully organized major international sporting events and boasts a globally recognized tourism brand — factors that WWE and its parent company TKO Group have increasingly emphasized when evaluating potential WrestleMania destinations.
The economic upside would be significant. WrestleMania weekend routinely generates hundreds of millions of dollars in tourism revenue for host cities, with multiple days of events, fan festivals, and television tapings bringing wrestling fans from across the globe.
Ireland also carries a passionate wrestling fanbase — WWE’s tours of the UK and Ireland consistently sell out arenas, with Irish crowds among the most vocal on the European circuit.
What Comes Next
Shortall’s next step is bringing the proposal formally to the Irish government, though no official bid process has been announced by WWE at this stage. WrestleMania 43 and beyond remain unconfirmed in terms of location, leaving the door open for international contenders to make their case.
Whether Ireland can translate enthusiasm into a formal, government-backed bid — and whether WWE is ready to bring the Showcase of the Immortals to European soil — remains to be seen. But as WWE continues to expand its global footprint, the idea of WrestleMania in Ireland no longer sounds like a pipe dream.