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Tampa to bid on hosting World Cup, WrestleMania events

Associated press file photos

Tampa Bay & Co., Hillsborough's visitors' marketing bureau, is preparing bids for both, the group said this afternoon.

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 23, 2009

TAMPA - Tampa has been invited to submit bids to host World Cup Soccer tournament matches in 2018 or in 2022. Tampa also has been invited to submit bids for WrestleMania between 2011 and 2014.

Tampa Bay & Co., Hillsborough's visitors' marketing bureau, is preparing bids for both, the group said this afternoon.

WrestleMania had an estimated $50 million impact on Orlando a year ago. Local tourism officials say the week-long event for fans, with a Sunday performance, could account for 16,000 hotel room nights, similar to the women's Final Four.

No figures were immediately available for a World Cup Soccer tournament, which could involve either preliminary or final matches.

The U.S. Soccer Federation invited the city, as well as other U.S. venues, to make the bids and will submit these bids for the city to World Cup officials.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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