Raider Nation comes out in full force at Allegiant Stadium — BLOG
August 14, 2021 - 1:35 pm
Updated August 14, 2021 - 10:19 pm

Fans, including Mark Acasio as Gorilla Rilla cheer a touchdown during the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021.. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto

Fans do Òthe waveÓ during the third quarter of the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Carlos Santana, left, performs during halftime of the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021.. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto

Musician and Las Vegas resident Carlos Santana performs at halftime during an NFL preseason football game between the Raiders and the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders fans celebrate the first touchdown of the game during the first quarter of the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Dr. Miriam Adelson lights the Al Davis Memorial Torch Flame before the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

An America flag is displayed on the field during the singing of the national anthem by Marie Osmond before the start of a NFL preseason game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Marie Osmond sings the National anthem before the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Fans listen to the singing of the national anthem before the start of a NFL preseason game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Las Vegas Raiders take the field for a NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Players take the field running through smoke before the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

The Raiderettes perform for the fans before the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

The Las Vegas Raiderettes perform during an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Las Vegas Raiders go to the locker room after warming up before the start of their NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders owner Mark Davis signs autographs for fans before the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) greets fans on the field before the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders head coach Jon Gruden greets fans while leaving the field before the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Fans yell for players before the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) signs autographs for fans before the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Raiders' NFL mascot Raider Rusher high fives fans while walking the concourse of Allegiant Stadium before the start of a NFL preseason game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks in Las Vegas, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders fans Isabella Luna, left, Carmen Tellez and Lisette Dominguez tailgate outside Allegiant Stadium before the start of an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

An Allegiant Stadium employee shows a mask required sign to a fan attending a NFL preseason game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Raiders fans Laurie Rayner, left, Ginger Brown and John Gaynor cheer outside Allegiant Stadium before the start of an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Fans climb the stairs to enter before the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Former Raiders player Jim Otto, from left, Raiders owner Mark Davis and union leader Tommy White celebrate with fans during the official ribbon cutting ceremony before the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Invited dignitaries join Raiders owner Mark Davis before fans during the official ribbon cutting ceremony before the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Fans cheer outside Allegiant Stadium before the start of an NFL preseason football game between the Raiders and the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders fan Eddie Valencia Jr., right, throws a pass to his dad Eddie Valencia outside Allegiant Stadium before the start of an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Las Vegas super fans Raider Penguin, right, and Darkness Rainz outside Allegiant Stadium before the start of an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders super fan “Violator” makes his way to Allegiant Stadium before the start of an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raiders fan John Ioane celebrates outside Allegiant Stadium before the start of an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Raider Javi is one of the first fans to enter before the Raiders home opening pre-season NFL football game versus the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Traffic outside Allegiant Stadium before the start of an NFL preseason football game between the Raiders and Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto
Las Vegas Raiders fans finally got to watch their team en masse Saturday night as the Raiders hosted the Seattle Seahawks in their first preseason game at Allegiant Stadium.
Finally!
It’s been a long time coming for players and fans alike, but tonight the Raiders were finally able to take the field in front of a full crowd at their new home, Allegiant Stadium.
The @Raiders enter @AllegiantStadm for the 1st time in front of fans. #vegas #raiders #stadium #vegasnation pic.twitter.com/o04rEXIVOc
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) August 15, 2021
Raiders honor Dr. Miriam Adelson
Dr. Miriam Adelson was the ceremonial lighter of the Al Davis Memorial Torch. Adelson, the co-founder of the Adelson Foundation and widow of Sheldon Adelson, was honored with a video detailing the countless charitable contributions of herself and the foundation.
Miriam Adelson lights the Al Davis Memorial torch. #vegas #raiders #stadium #vegasnation pic.twitter.com/eBuQaaouEE
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) August 15, 2021
Allegiant Stadium is ready for kickoff!
Minutes before kickoff, and Allegiant Stadium is filling up to its capacity of 65,ooo. Raider Nation is out in full force!
The seats are filling in as kickoff is minutes away! #Raiders #RaiderNation #VegasNation #rjnow https://t.co/AmWAPX4n1Q pic.twitter.com/699rpXGsJP
— Cassie Soto (@_CassieSoto) August 15, 2021
Hanging out
This looks to be a favorite spot to hang out before, during or after the game. And you can’t beat the view. Fans were gathering in the Coors Light Landing around the Al Davis Memorial torch before today’s game.
The Coors Light Landing area around the Al Davis Memorial torch is a fan-favorite hangout spot pregame here at @AllegiantStadm. #vegas #raiders #stadium #vegasnation pic.twitter.com/D1fmxZLpCS
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) August 14, 2021
Only in Vegas …
Question I get all the time: Is there really a nightclub I'm the end zone @AllegiantStadm? Answer: pic.twitter.com/LXcr7ORccb
— Adam Hill (@AdamHillLVRJ) August 15, 2021
Where’s the bougiest place to watch the @Raiders play you ask? Answer below ⬇️ #raiders #VegasNation #RaiderNation #rjnow pic.twitter.com/d8d8WnMHMg
— Cassie Soto (@_CassieSoto) August 14, 2021
Parking check-in
Two hours before kickoff, plenty of traffic, but also plenty of parking.
RAIDERS GAMEDAY PARKING: I am out on Polaris Ave. where @AllegiantStadm officials are saying optimal parking time is almost over.
Plenty of parking left and plenty of staff on hand to direct attendees. #RaiderNation @reviewjournal @VegasNation #VegasNation #RJNow #Raiders pic.twitter.com/qhihm8x0Yl
— James Schaeffer (@jamesmschaeffer) August 14, 2021
Raiders House Band performs for fans
David Perrico and his band are entertaining Raiders fans eagerly awaiting the 6 p.m. kickoff, while some fans pose for pictures in the Black Hole section of Allegiant Stadium.
Fans taking pics with @gorillarilla in the south end zone area, the Black Hole section of @AllegiantStadm #vegas #raiders #stadium pic.twitter.com/vZt1GyGHcC
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) August 14, 2021
Hello .#NoybelGorgoy @Raiders #DavidPerrico @AllegiantStadm @reviewjournal #RJnow #NFL #Raiders pic.twitter.com/2Rq1YL4zF5
— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) August 14, 2021
Ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opens Allegiant Stadium
After sitting complete for 379 days, Raiders owner Mark Davis carried out the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, officially opening the $2 billion facility to Raider Nation.
ribbon cutting
With the Raiders playing their inaugural season last year without fans, the team’s first preseason game of the year has as much hype as any game not in the regular season.
Davis himself hasn’t been to an event at the stadium, after vowing to fans that if they couldn’t attend, he wouldn’t either.
“It feels like it’s been 60 years,” Davis said of the year-long wait. “Finally we get to go home.”
A quick chat with @Raiders owner Mark Davis before he welcomes in #RaiderNation to @AllegiantStadm. @reviewjournal @VegasNation #VegasNation #RJNow #Raiders pic.twitter.com/yV636WnEXJ
— Cassie Soto (@_CassieSoto) August 14, 2021
Among the invited guests who took part in the ribbon cutting were Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and former Mayor Oscar Goodman, U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo and entertainer Carlos Santana.
Fans already began congregating around the stadium as the Raider faithful began carrying out the first official tailgate parties in the organization’s history here. Tailgating was a staple when the team was in Oakland, and early on, it is evident that tradition translated over to Southern Nevada.
— Mick Akers
Raiders owner Mark Davis hypes the crowd up as they enter @AllegiantStadm for the first time for a Raiders game. #vegas #raiders #stadium @raiders pic.twitter.com/eaDyVXg9Am
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) August 14, 2021
Stay with us all day we as bring you live reports on the fan experience that only Las Vegas and Allegiant Stadium can provide.
What you need to know
Check out the following links for everything you need to know — on and off the field — ahead of Saturday night’s game.
— Fan’s guide to Allegiant Stadium
— What to watch in the Raiders preseason opener
— Mask mandate will be enforced at Allegiant Stadium
— Field of Dreams: An in-depth look at Allegiant Stadium
The calm before the storm #Raiders #RaiderNation #VegasNation #RJNow pic.twitter.com/5Eahp9hoBG
— Cassie Soto (@_CassieSoto) August 14, 2021
Let there be fans! #Raiders #RaiderNation #VegasNation #RJNow pic.twitter.com/q3FJ8reTWL
— Cassie Soto (@_CassieSoto) August 14, 2021
The Review-Journal is owned by the family of Dr. Miriam Adelson, the majority shareholder of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Las Vegas Sands operates The Venetian.