{"id":45197,"date":"2025-08-05T11:23:05","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T11:23:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/45197\/"},"modified":"2025-08-05T11:23:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T11:23:05","slug":"could-wwe-nhl-follow-mlb-speedway-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/45197\/","title":{"rendered":"Could WWE, NHL follow MLB Speedway Classic?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bristol Motor Speedway<\/a> has crossed the finish line on its latest spectacle.<\/p>\n

The MLB Speedway Classic<\/a> concluded on Aug. 3 with the Atlanta Braves beating the Cincinnati Reds 4-2<\/a> after the game was halted due to rain in the first inning on Aug. 2. It set a record as intended for the most-attended MLB regular-season game in history with an announced crowd of 91,032<\/a>, as Bristol delivered again with a big event nine years after the Battle at Bristol between Tennessee football<\/a> and Virginia in 2016.<\/p>\n

But what is next for the racetrack that prides itself on being a venue for other events?<\/p>\n

Here are three events that could come to Bristol Motor Speedway next:<\/p>\n

WWE is a logical partner for Bristol Motor Speedway<\/p>\n

There might be no more natural partner for Bristol Motor Speedway than the WWE, the entertainment giant that has a fervent following much as NASCAR does. Plop a stage in the middle below the center-hung Colossus and let the madness roll for a SummerSlam event or WrestleMania.<\/p>\n

The WWE has put on events in massive settings before, including WrestleMania 41 in April at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and WrestleMania\u00a032 in 2016 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.<\/p>\n

A wrestling stage in the middle of the racetrack might make sight lines complicated, but the space, seating and opportunity is intriguing. Knox County mayor Glenn Jacobs<\/a>, a former WWE star, could have a say in the matter.<\/p>\n

The NHL could bring one of its outdoor events to Bristol<\/p>\n

Bristol checked Major League Baseball off the list of major events, and the National Hockey League could be next.<\/p>\n

The NHL has regularly played outdoor games the past two decades: the Winter Classic (held on or about New Year’s Day); the Heritage Classic (played only in Canada); and the Stadium Series (usually in February or March). The Winter Classic might make the most sense from a narrative perspective, but the Stadium Series could fit as well.<\/p>\n

The Nashville Predators have played in the Stadium Series<\/a>, facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022 at Nissan Stadium. Bristol’s location would make a matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> a fun pairing.<\/p>\n

Sports Business Journal’s\u00a0Adam Stern<\/a> reported that NHL officials were on hand at Bristol Motor Speedway for the MLB Speedway Classic.<\/p>\n

Is college basketball a fit for Bristol?<\/p>\n

College basketball games aren’t often played outside but have been enough in the past to make it possible at Bristol.<\/p>\n

Iowa women’s basketball played DePaul at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City in 2023. Six men’s games have been played on aircraft carriers; Michigan State and North Carolina were the first to do so, in November 2011, in a setting that presents more weather challenges than Bristol.<\/p>\n

BRISTOL: Speedway Classic was part spectacle, part debacle for MLB, fans. That’s Bristol, baby<\/a><\/p>\n

The Final Four often is in massive football stadiums, so it’s not a leap to move into the racetrack space from a size perspective.<\/p>\n

A basketball game at Bristol would need a major brand program to justify the attempt and bring enough fans. Duke or North Carolina make sense for their proximity to Bristol. Tennessee has a draw for obvious reasons. Louisville isn’t terribly far away. There are options if an NCAA game was in the mix to follow suit from the Battle at Bristol.<\/p>\n

Mike Wilson<\/a>\u00a0covers University of Tennessee athletics.\u00a0Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com\u00a0and follow him on X\u00a0@ByMikeWilson<\/a>.\u00a0If you enjoy Mike\u2019s coverage,\u00a0consider a\u00a0digital subscription\u00a0<\/a>that will allow you access to all of it.<\/p>\n