How does Las Vegas stay on top? How do we continue to be the most exciting, dynamic, relevant, in-demand destination globally? What is our recipe?
It’s innovation + imagination + daring + risk taking = reinvention.
From a small gambling oasis in the desert to A-level entertainment, themed mega-resorts, the world’s No. 1 convention destination and underground tunnels transporting visitors in electric vehicles, to now, the “Greatest Arena on Earth” soon featuring the Super Bowl and Formula 1. It has been eight decades of relentless reinvention.
Las Vegas was the first state to legalize boxing and held its first title bout in 1955. In the years that followed, the destination has hosted signature events, including the National Finals Rodeo, NASCAR, UFC championships, college basketball conference tournaments and so much more.
The Vegas Golden Knights were born just five years ago, shattering the barrier between Las Vegas and the major sports leagues. The team’s debut and subsequent seasons, both on and off the ice, created a bond with the community and a model for others to follow.
Thanks to a commitment by the Las Vegas Raiders to move to Las Vegas and create an “Only in Vegas” venue, the arrival of Allegiant Stadium has been a game-changer-cementing Las Vegas as a premier sports destination, allowing us to host large-scale events, attract more visitors and grow tourism in ways we never imagined. It was the piece Las Vegas needed to become the Greatest Arena on Earth.
During the second half of 2021, Allegiant Stadium welcomed more than 1 million attendees despite a global pandemic. Nearly half of those attendees came to Las Vegas specifically for an event at the stadium. And the stadium experience doesn’t disappoint. The energy and excitement are palpable. At the end of its first season, Allegiant Stadium ranked No.1 in the NFL’s “Voice of the Fan Survey,” which rates guest experience and staff performance at stadiums across the country.
Research shows that more than 50 percent of our visitors will add a trip or stay longer to attend a sporting event. Visitors who come for a sporting event estimate spending $1,100 more per trip than visitors who do not include sports.
The success of Allegiant Stadium, combined with the appeal of the destination’s incredible entertainment infrastructure, helped Las Vegas to become the first destination to land the NFL’s three marquee events. In February, we hosted the Pro Bowl. This coming week we welcome the draft. Those events will lead to Las Vegas being center stage at the most-watched sporting event in the U.S., the Super Bowl in 2024. The week-long event will have an impact of more than $500 million on our local economy.
The city also added the world’s most prestigious racing competition. Beginning in November 2023, F1 will annually produce the Las Vegas Grand Prix under the vibrant lights of the Las Vegas Strip. It’s thanks to our resort partners, county and state officials, and Formula 1, who recognized Las Vegas as the ideal backdrop for this event.
Additionally, with the recent arrival of Resorts World, Circa and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas opening during the pandemic, Las Vegas welcomed guests back to the destination with exciting new offerings and Only Vegas experiences. We’re just getting started. New resorts such as Fontainebleau, new venues such as the MSG Sphere and new transportation systems such as the underground Loop and the Brightline high-speed train are all moving forward. Additional professional sports franchises? That seems likely.
There is no other city like Las Vegas. We live and work in the Greatest Arena on Earth. Our resort partners, state and local officials, sports teams, entertainment enterprises, and the entire Las Vegas community have created an innovative, resilient, energetic and unmatched destination. One thing I know for sure—at this very moment, the next great Las Vegas era is being conceived. We may not know what it is yet, but it will be bold, spectacular and unparalleled. You can bet it will reinvent the world’s most exciting place once again.
Members of the editorial and news staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal were not involved in the creation of this content.