Las Vegas is mostly known for its casinos, but the city has really branched out to diversify its attractions in recent years, with a particular focus on sports. Indeed, in the last decade, the city has brought an NFL franchise and an NHL franchise to find a home in Sin City. What’s more, plans are in place to bring an NBA team and an MLB team to the city in the coming years.
The upshot is that a city that had very little professional sports history – aside from betting on sports – has become one of the top cities in the US to get the big game experience. Of course, Vegas is also known for one-off events, such as big boxing and UFC events. But now, there’s basically something to go and see all year round. Below, we have picked some of the best options:
The Raiders’ NFL Games at the Allegiant Stadium
The Raiders moved to Vegas from Oakland recently and, well, things have not been great so far, with the team finishing with the joint-worst record in the NFL last term. Still, things are on the up for the Raiders, who took the No.1 Draft pick, Fernando Mendoza, this year. The board, including part-owner Tom Brady, is massively ambitious, and it has a long-term plan to build the Raiders into a Super Bowl-caliber team.
Golden Knights at the T-Mobile Arena
The Golden Knights were created in 2017, and they have had plenty of success, already becoming champions, and are backed in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final odds with DraftKings this time around. Experiencing NHL games is highly underrated, but it is fast becoming a key Vegas attraction, not least due to the Golden Knights’ success.
The Aces at the Michelob Ultra Arena
WNBA is on the up, and Las Vegas is at the center of the growth in women’s basketball. They are three-time (and current) champions and are seen as one of the league’s prestigious teams. Heading to the Michelob – it’s located at Mandalay Bay Resort – can be a brilliant experience, as the 12,000-seater arena feels like one of the cathedrals of women’s basketball. The atmosphere can be electric, especially in the postseason.
March Madness on the Strip
March Madness – the men’s college basketball tournament – is played at different venues across the US on a rotational basis, but Vegas still feels like the epicenter of one of the biggest betting events on the planet. Indeed, the city, especially The Strip, goes crazy for the event, and while it’s not in-person, the action on the screens at the casinos creates a brilliant and unique atmosphere.
The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix
Taking place in November each year, the Vegas Grand Prix is a season highlight. It is one of the great “street races,” partially taking place on The Strip. It is – technically ticketed –, but as it is a street race and they can’t close the city completely, many tourists simply find a good spot to watch the action. The Vegas Grand Prix comes late in the season, so it is always extra special if there is a tight battle for the F1 Championship.
The Complete Entertainment Experience Around T-Mobile Arena
What makes Golden Knights games so different from a lot of other sporting events is that they are uniquely Las Vegas as soon as fans are seated. The vicinity of T-Mobile Arena is soon filled with fans in black and gold uniforms, pre-game celebrations spill over into local bars and restaurants, and the air is filled long before the puck gets dropped. Unlike some sports venues that can feel disconnected from the city around them, the Golden Knights experience feels fully integrated into the entertainment culture that made Vegas famous.
Why Hockey Has Become a Must-See Vegas Attraction
The nature of the sport is also a part of the increased popularity of hockey in Las Vegas. NHL matches are incredibly fast-moving in comparison with a number of other sports, with constant action and a change of momentum keeping viewers glued to the game. This is a whirlwind experience that usually makes hockey one of the simplest sports to enjoy by the tourist, even first time observers, who are spending just a few days in the city.
The success of the Golden Knights has also significantly contributed to the development of real sporting culture in the city that traditionally had no strong professional sporting traditions. The franchise has grown into a fanbase that has fast built a following that has spawned traditions, rituals, and an aura that is not fake but genuine, since arriving in 2017.