The NCAA Final Four basketball championship will be hosted by Las Vegas for the first time.
The last matches of March Madness will be held at Allegiant Stadium on April 1 and April 3, 2028. The home stadium of the Las Vegas Raiders will accommodate 65,000 fans for this event.
Said Erick Harper, UNLV Director of Athletics:
“We are thrilled to host the NCAA Men’s Final Four at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Our city has long been a nexus for basketball across all tiers, and the opportunity to host one of the most prestigious sporting events is the fruition of Las Vegas’ evolution into the global epicenter of sports and entertainment. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with the LVCVA and the NCAA to ensure an unforgettable event, as is characteristic of our city.”
Don’t-miss championship games in Las Vegas
The 2028 Las Vegas Final Four is not the most recent collegiate championship to be held in Sin City. The NCAA has declared that Las Vegas will be the host of multiple championship events. The NCAA Regionals, including the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, are predicted to be the most popular during the March Madness 2024, taking place at the T-Mobile Arena on the Vegas Strip.
The NCAA will host almost 10 championship events between 2024 and 2026.
- 2024 Division I Men’s Golf Regional at Bear’s Best
- South Point in the 2024 NCAA Women’s Bowling Championship
- 2024 Division I Women’s Golf Regional at Spanish Trail
- The 2024 Division III Men’s Golf Championship: Boulder Creek Golf Club and The Legacy.
- UNLV will host the 2024 Division III men’s and women’s soccer championships.
- Boulder Creek Golf Club: 2025 Division II Women’s Golf Championship
- Boulder Creek Golf Club: 2026 Men’s Golf Championships
Make sure not to miss the NCAA men’s Frozen Four (hockey) at T-Mobile Arena in 2026.
March Madness betting in Las Vegas
Las Vegas sees significant business during March Madness. The excitement starts even before the NCAA basketball tournament, with various conferences holding championship tournaments in the city.
At the beginning of this year, an NCAA basketball tournament for five conferences took place in Las Vegas. Chris Reynolds, the Athletic Director at Bradley and committee chair, stated:
“We’re thrilled to introduce the NCAA’s top championship to Las Vegas, a city that has been hosting various championships from multiple member conferences for several years.”
The initial weekend of March Madness in Las Vegas, long before the city became a host venue, has been a significant draw for years. This weekend ranks among the most hectic for sports betting in Las Vegas. The amount of money wagered on March Madness during the first weekend is almost on par with what Las Vegas sportsbooks see for the Super Bowl. Despite the Super Bowl being the largest single sports betting event in Las Vegas, the first four days of March Madness feature 48 college basketball games.
Busy Nevada sportsbooks
The demand for sportsbooks in Las Vegas is so high that venues have started charging a reservation fee for seats. The demand has also led to paid parties being hosted wherever TV screens can be fitted in casinos on the Vegas Strip. Off-strip properties, however, often offer complimentary viewing. It is likely that sportsbooks, hotels, bars, and restaurants will be teeming with college basketball fans.
Major sporting events in Vegas
The Greatest Arena on Earth has been trademarked by the Las Vegas tourism board. It has become the most sought-after city for major sporting events in search of a hosting venue.
Las Vegas, already housing NFL and NHL teams, is also the home of the current WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces, who play at Mandalay Bay. This year, the city made a leap into hosting significant sporting events such as the NFL Pro Bowl and the NFL Draft. Additionally, it was their first time hosting the NHL All-Star Game.
Besides the NCAA events, Las Vegas will also be the venue for the new NFL Pro Bowl games and Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The 2024 Super Bowl in Vegas will be held at Allegiant Stadium.
New pro teams and venues possible
Rumors suggest that Las Vegas may eventually host a team from MLB, MLS, or NBA.
The NCAA College Football Playoff could potentially come to Las Vegas before the Final Four.
Currently, the Oakland A’s are in talks with Oakland for a new stadium district. However, if this falls through, the team may relocate to Las Vegas. Various sources suggest that Las Vegas is likely to host MLS and NBA teams in the future.
Plans are in place for the future construction of at least two more sporting venues in Las Vegas. Oak View Group has substantial plans for an arena, casino, and hotel complex located south of Mandalay Bay. Meanwhile, the delayed All Net Arena, situated next to the Sahara, insists on proceeding with its plans to build a new sports facility on the Vegas Strip.
Las Vegas, already a household name for sports betting, is elevating its hosting game to a new level.
Related Articles
Nevada Gambling, Tourism Numbers Grow Again In February
