There has been a lot of speculation lately about whether World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) will be returning to Canada to hold live events and televised shows. WWE has a long history and huge fanbase in Canada, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the company to halt touring and restrict shows to its ThunderDome venue in Florida for over a year. With pandemic restrictions easing in many places, fans north of the border are eager to know when they might see WWE back in arenas across Canada.
Background on WWE’s Popularity in Canada
WWE, and pro wrestling in general, has always been hugely popular in Canada. Major Canadian cities like Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg have hosted countless major WWE events over the decades. Canadian wrestling legends like Bret Hart, Roddy Piper, and Edge got their start in Canada before becoming worldwide superstars. And some of the most iconic moments in WWE history happened on Canadian soil, like Hogan vs. Rock at SkyDome at WrestleMania 18. Canada is considered one of WWE’s most important international markets.
WWE’s Absence from Canada During the Pandemic
Like all pro sports and entertainment companies, WWE was forced to make drastic changes in 2020 due to COVID-19. Beginning in mid-March 2020, WWE started holding shows without a live audience at its Performance Center in Orlando. In August 2020, the company set up its ThunderDome – an elaborately designed set with video boards featuring virtual fans – also in Orlando. For over a year until July 2021, all WWE shows were held in the ThunderDome with only essential personnel. This meant that WWE did not travel to and hold events in any of its typical venues, including Canada.
Signs Pointing to a WWE Return to Canada
In recent months, there have been several positive signs indicating WWE could be returning to Canada soon:
WWE Allowing Live Crowds Again
The biggest development is that WWE has resumed touring and holding shows with live crowds again. WWE held its first show with fans in over a year in July 2021 at Dickies Arena in Texas. Since then, they’ve held multiple live shows across the United States, including major events like SummerSlam at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. This indicates that WWE is now confident holding events with crowds based on improving conditions.
Loosening Restrictions in Canada
While the timing has varied by province, most parts of Canada have begun gradually loosening COVID-19 restrictions on mass gatherings over the past several months. Ontario just recently lifted capacity restrictions for indoor venues. With health experts optimistic about COVID conditions continuing to improve in Canada, restrictions limiting crowd sizes at events will likely keep easing. This will make it more feasible for WWE to hold live events in Canada again.
Upcoming Tour Dates Near Canadian Cities
WWE has announced several live event dates for October and November in nearby U.S. cities like Seattle, Minneapolis, and Detroit. This is significant because it would require minimal additional travel for WWE’s crew and equipment to cross the border for shows in major Canadian markets from those locations. The timing and geography certainly line up for WWE to add Canadian stops to these tours.
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| October 29, 2021 | Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena – Binghamton, NY |
| October 30, 2021 | Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse – Cleveland, OH |
| October 31, 2021 | Heritage Bank Center – Cincinnati, OH |
| November 5, 2021 | Rogers Arena – Vancouver, BC |
| November 7, 2021 | Climate Pledge Arena – Seattle, WA |
| November 14, 2021 | KeyBank Center – Buffalo, NY |
Rumors of a 2022 Toronto WrestleMania
There have been some rumblings within WWE about potentially holding WrestleMania at Rogers Centre in Toronto in 2022. WWE already announced WrestleMania 38 will be in Dallas in April 2022. But there’s precedent for WWE holding multiple WrestleMania events in one year, like WrestleMania 36 hosted in Tampa and Orlando in 2020. Toronto hosted WrestleMania 18 back in 2002 featuring Rock vs. Hulk Hogan in one of the biggest WrestleManias ever. If WWE aims for a Toronto WrestleMania next year, expect Canadian tours leading up to it.
Challenges Facing a Canadian Return
However, it’s not guaranteed that WWE will be back in Canada just yet. There are still some hurdles facing their potential return, including:
Remaining Travel Restrictions
While travel between Canada and the U.S. has loosened, restrictions remain in place. American travelers who are not fully vaccinated still cannot enter Canada. Additionally, all travelers must provide negative COVID tests before and after crossing the border in most situations. For a touring company like WWE that has over 200 performers and crew members, navigating international travel introduces more complexity.
Different COVID Regulations by Province
Health regulations related to COVID-19 differ by province in Canada. For example, British Columbia still has a mask mandate for indoor public spaces, while Alberta lifted their mask mandate months ago. WWE would have to adjust their protocols to comply with the rules in each specific location. This complicates planning a comprehensive Canadian tour.
Expense of Cross-Border Travel
Even without fans, holding shows internationally comes at a higher cost. There are expenses related to getting personnel and equipment across the border, COVID testing, compliance with local health regulations, currency exchange rates, and more. While WWE has started live touring again in the U.S., expanding further into Canada may not make financial sense yet. Their priority is rebuilding their house show business in the U.S. first.
projecting the Timeframe for WWE’s Canada Return
Given all these factors, what timeline seems most likely for WWE to resume holding events in Canada? Here are some predictions:
Partial Fall 2021 Canadian Tour
WWE adding 1-2 Canadian stops on their U.S. tours in Oct/Nov 2021 seems plausible. Most likely candidates would be Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal given proximity on current schedule. This would let WWE test protocols and demand without big commitment.
Full Canada Tour in Early 2022
If the fall shows go well, expect a full-scale Canadian tour hitting 5+ major markets in early 2022. This takes advantage of pent-up demand from Canadian fans before WrestleMania season kicks into high gear.
WrestleMania in Toronto in April 2022
This is less certain, but the rumors indicate serious consideration of a Toronto WrestleMania next year. If it happens, WWE will obviously run multiple Canadian shows in conjunction.
The Bottom Line
WWE has started holding live events with fans again after over a year, but has not yet returned to Canada. While challenging logistics remain, improving conditions point towards WWE running shows in Canada again soon. Small-scale returns in fall 2021 seem very possible, with a full tour increasingly likely in early 2022. If Toronto lands WrestleMania next April, WWE will certainly be back in Canada well before then. After a long absence, the return of WWE to hockey rinks and stadiums across Canada appears imminent, much to the thrill of the WWE Universe north of the border.
