Las Vegas officials are going to great lengths to boost the city’s appeal as a sports tourism destination.
Vegas is celebrated as “The Greatest Arena on Earth” in a recent advertising campaign from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). “You don’t come to Vegas for one game, one race, one fight, one matchup or one team”, the ad reads. “The game is just the beginning”.
City officials have made major decisions to boost Vegas’ appeal as a sports tourism destination. In 2017, the Golden Knights ice hockey team was established, the first major sports franchise to represent Las Vegas. Since then, the Knights have become one of the most successful teams in their league, boosting local and international investment in the city.
In 2020, it was announced that famed American Football team the Oakland Raiders were relocating to Nevada, becoming the Las Vegas Raiders. Their new arena, the Allegiant Stadium, opened last year. Naming rights holder Allegiant Airlines offers package deals for fans and tourists to see the Raiders play and enjoy an experience in Las Vegas.
Aside from this, the city already hosts events for the NCAA Basketball Tournament, as well as two major NASCAR races a year. Tourism officials continue to boost its appeal as a sports tourism destination ahead of the anticipated Super Bowl LVIII.
