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Las Vegas: Transformed into America's Sports Epicenter
2024-12-15
Las Vegas, a city that was once renowned for its underworld associations and vibrant neon lights, has now emerged as a remarkable center of America's sports universe. The arrival of various sports leagues such as the NFL, Formula 1 racing, the National Hockey League, WNBA, and soon, Major League Baseball, has played a pivotal role in transforming Sin City into Sports City. Here, fans can witness the nation's top professional athletes while also indulging in some gambling.
Uniting Sports and Entertainment in the Heart of Las Vegas
Sports Arrivals and Transformations
Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium became the epicenter of the sports world in February when it hosted Super Bowl LVIII. Getty Images. The number of people booking trips to Vegas annually to witness a live sporting event has witnessed a remarkable tripling since 2022, reaching over 2 million. This surge is a testament to the city's growing appeal as a sports destination. "Fans come to see their teams play and then extend their stay to enjoy concerts, shopping, dining, or golfing," notes Steve Hill, the CEO and president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).Just last month, Formula 1 took over the Strip for the second edition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with Mercedes' George Russell emerging as the winner. In February, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in a thrilling 25-22 overtime battle at Allegiant Stadium, capturing Super Bowl LVIII. This was the first time the NFL's flagship game was held in Las Vegas, with an estimated economic impact of $1 billion in the area.Hotel Accommodation and Entertainment
With approximately 151,000 hotel rooms, Las Vegas can easily accommodate large crowds. Not only that, but its various sports venues such as the football stadium, hockey and basketball arenas, and F1 track are all within walking distance of the Vegas Strip. This convenience allows visitors to enjoy multiple activities without the hassle of long commutes. After the Chiefs' big win last February, Taylor Swift and her boyfriend Travis Kelce celebrated at Zouk Nightclub inside Resorts World Las Vegas. Throughout Super Bowl week, the hotel ensured that visitors were immersed in related activities. "We have to think about activating the entire campus or property," notes Ronn Nicolli, Chief Marketing Officer for Resorts World Las Vegas.Reinvention and Adaptation
Vegas is no stranger to reinventing itself. In the 1990s, it adopted a more family-friendly image with the opening of kitschy themed hotels like the Luxor and Excalibur. However, this phase didn't last long, and the city returned to its hedonistic 24/7 reputation. Now, it is all about sports.The arrival of Formula One in 2023 attracted the affluent global racing audience. Demand remained strong for this year's racing weekend, with over 300,000 fans in attendance. The ticket prices ranged from $150 for general admission to $45,000 for Paddock Club passes. Last year's race was StubHub's bestselling F1 race globally.The 3.8-mile course for the Vegas Grand Prix provided free advertising for the city's bright lights and big casinos. The track incorporated parts of the Strip and passed iconic properties like the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, and the Venetian. The Vegas Grand Prix is also the only F1 race in North America to take place at night. "No other city can host an event like Las Vegas – it's in our DNA," says Hill.Sports and Gambling History
Sports have always been a significant part of the Las Vegas scene. For decades, Nevada was the only state in the US where sports betting was legal. This led to the pilgrimage of sports enthusiasts to watch and gamble on major sporting events like the Super Bowl and the NCAA men's basketball tournament.However, for a long time, sports leagues were hesitant to have their teams and games in Vegas due to concerns about gambling. But with the Supreme Court's decision in 2018 to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the legal sports gambling industry took off. Nearly $120 billion was wagered on legal sports bets last year.Success of Local Sports Teams
The Las Vegas Golden Knights, the city's first major pro sports franchise, debuted in 2018 and achieved immediate success. They reached the Stanley Cup Finals in their first season and won the Cup in 2023. The pregame show's production values resemble a Broadway show, highlighting the city's embrace of the team. Fans from 49 different states have bought tickets to a Golden Knights home game this season, more than any other team in the NHL.An October visit to Allegiant Stadium to see the Raiders take on the Pittsburgh Steelers saw the stadium packed with 65,000 fans, with at least half being out-of-town visitors. "The Raiders have been a top 10 team for us every year since they relocated to Vegas in 2020 and are second behind only the Cowboys in terms of tickets sold," notes StubHub's Bocanegra. This season, 89% of all Raiders tickets sold on the site come from out-of-state buyers, more than any other team.Future Growth and Expansion
Vegas' status as a premier sports city still has significant room for growth. In 2028, the former Oakland A's are set to arrive in town, playing in a brand-new, 33,000-seat domed stadium on the Strip. The NBA is also reportedly considering expansion plans as early as 2027 to potentially bring a team to Vegas. "With the addition of the A's and, potentially, an NBA or MLS team in the future, this will become one of the sporting hubs domestically," Nicolli says. "If I had made that statement 20 years ago, everyone would've thought I was crazy, but today, I believe it holds true."