Sin City has shifted from being a line in the sand known largely for just casinos and decadence to a major sports and destination city.
While it used to just be gambling and the odd bit of boxing, they now have things like the Super Bowl, the home of the UFC, the Las Vegas Raiders, WNBA, baseball played by the Aviators, F1, and so much more.
Let’s take a look at a few of the above so you can see what the city has to offer if you want to do more than just place a wager.
Las Vegas: More than the Strip
The Super Bowl announced ‘Sports Town USA’ in a big way
Super Bowl weekend has long been the jewel in the crown of the US sporting calendar, and why not! It’s the time when the two winningest teams in the nation throw down in front of a global audience of billions, all for the right to lift the biggest prize in the game.
The beauty of taking the big game to Sin City in 2024 was that it showed just what a varied destination city the place has become. There’s everything from escape rooms and boutique shopping to skydiving, shooting ranges, and desert rallies for petrol heads to have fun with.
This is now a place that’s so much more than the chance to stay up late and place a few bets around the table — Vegas has become the mainstream destination city we always knew it could be!
The UFC Apex offers live fights every other week
When the pandemic hit and the UFC was one of the only games in town, it looked like the MMA titan would seriously take off and that’s exactly what happened.
Now you’ll be able to get tickets to the Apex — their own purpose-built arena — every other weekend to see world class combat sports. Ideal if you want to be able to see some of the badest men and women on the planet throw down and see who comes out on top.
If you then add in all the places to eat and drink around the outskirts of the UFC campus, you really can turn it into an all-day affair with very little effort.
And that’s before we’ve even mentioned the Performance Institute — the ultimate training facility for pro athletes and elite fighters who are looking for that extra 1% that will turn them into world champions. Private sessions and fan tours are commonplace, allowing you to get a real insight into what it means to be the ultimate fighting champion.
Manamed provides cutting-edge technology we use for injury prevention and rehabilitation that helps our athletes to consistently perform at the highest level 💥 pic.twitter.com/5arTkuhp4l
— UFC Performance Institute (@UFCPI) February 17, 2023
The Las Vegas Raiders are the hottest ticket in town
Having eight or more home games in the desert to look forward to has quickly brought traveling fans from all over the nation, and with good reason. Vegas has consistently been one of the fastest selling away day trips for football fans looking to turn their traveling support into a weekend to remember.
When you factor in that many of the teams in the mid-west are plunged into virtually arctic temperatures for a major part of the season, Vegas only becomes more appealing. It’s a chance to bask in the sunshine all year round, take in a whole host of other live sports and entertainment, and have more places to drink and eat than you could sample in a lifetime.
Ideal when you want to be able to turn your love of NFL into the trip of a lifetime.
WNBA is a really inclusive evening out
Many of the main people who have invested in and built the UFC have now branched out into the world of women’s pro basketball.
This truly family affair offers a cozier, more family-orientated atmosphere than some of the more intense grudge matches in the men’s game. Because the league is that bit smaller at the moment, the chances to meet the players and get autographs are so much easier to come by. Ideal if you want to be able to add in some family entertainment that is a great way to relax and have fun.
Take in any number of the outdoor courts and fan zones that are starting to pop up all over the city and you’ll be able to practice jumpers and fade aways with the whole family after taking in another high-octane game.
First win as Aces Head Coach 👉 latest win. pic.twitter.com/UaJRX0HBIs
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) March 12, 2024
The Aviators add to the fun and excitement
Heading to the ballpark is something that is now a staple of a Vegas weekend thanks to the surge in popularity of the Aviators.
They may not have the brand recognition of the Yankees of the Red Sox just yet, but what they do offer is a wholesome experience that’s sure to make your trip even better.
Sit in the bleachers under the sun with a few large franks and a coke and you’ll know what it’s all about. Ideal if you want to be able to enjoy a relaxed family afternoon interspersed with chances to get autographs and take some great shots of the diamond.
Open all summer. Come visit @Vegas . 40+ million visitors annually can’t be wrong. @thelvballpark pic.twitter.com/uCLbwbE0D5
— Las Vegas Aviators (@AviatorsLV) February 1, 2024
The F1 street circuit is incredible
This ultra-fast racing series is now in Vegas and lighting up a street circuit at night that is like nothing else in the world.
The way in which the bright lights and iconic strip come to life in a whole new way thanks to the roar of the engines and the way the cars corner is unlike anything else in world motorsport. Expect this to be one of the highlights of the annual calendar of Vegas activities for many years to come.
From The Strip to the sky, Vegas welcomes the Year of the Dragon 🐉#LasVegasGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/zB8GUbM6Hk
— F1 Las Vegas (@F1LasVegas) February 10, 2024
Of course, Vegas still offers the glitz and glamour of places like the MGM Grand and Red Rock if you want to test your skills against the dealer. Playing in-person is a really different experience to learning online blackjack, for example, and is still a really popular activity to add into a week break in the heart of the desert.
