Houston, Oct 27 (THAINDIAN NEWS) The host city of WrestleMania 26 should get a sizable boost into its coffers, next spring if an economic-impact study from Houston is true.

The report, released today, says that “professional wrestling’s biggest annual event generated a $49.8 million economic punch for the Houston area last spring”.

According to the report, “There was $49.8 million of direct, indirect and induced impact derived from spending by non-locals visiting specifically for WrestleMania 25, equating to 600 full-time jobs for the area. During WrestleMania Week, 86 percent of out of state, overnight visitors, who came in for the festivities, stayed in local Houston area hotels. Of those, 67 percent stayed for three nights or more.”

The World Wrestling Entertainment-commissioned study, conducted by Enigma Research Corp., says local and state governments collected a whooping $5.7 million in taxes during the event.

University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale is all set to host WrestleMania on March 28. “They are going to bring a much needed infusion of revenue but also a lot of excitement,” Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs said.

“We all have fantastic Marches,” said Trent Johnson, general manager at Hampton Inn & Suites at Westgate City Center, near the stadium. “But it will put a nice top on at the end of March.”