Backstage news on whether WWE has plans for fans to attend shows at Tropicana Field

WWE confirmed on Thursday that they will bring its ThunderDome to Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay as it begins a new residency starting with SmackDown on Friday, December 11 at 8 PM ET on FOX.

WWE stated in the press release that shows “will be produced at Tropicana Field on closed sets with only essential personnel in attendance. WWE will continue to administer its health and safety protocols for talent, crew and employees in conjunction with each production, including PCR testing for COVID-19, social distancing and wearing masks.”

The baseball stadium holds nearly 43,000 fans for baseball. With that being said, some people have wondered whether WWE will eventually have fans attend its shows at the new venue.

Dave Meltzer reported in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the company has ruled out the possibility of spectators. He wrote, “WWE officials told us that right now there are no plans for allowing spectators.”

The report also noted that Tropicana Field is expected to be WWE’s home at least until March as the Tampa Bay Rays are not scheduled to return to action in the MLB until March 30.

The expectation is next year’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view event will be held at the stadium, but as it stands right now, plans that far off “depend on things completely out of everyone’s hands in relation to the virus.”

The last show at Amway Center is expected to be the December 4 episode of SmackDown.