Las Vegas is known for its bright lights and big city, but it is also getting some attention for major sporting attractions these days. And for good reason – between hockey, football, basketball, and more, the Vegas Sports scene is growing. We’ve always been known for our golf courses, but now Las Vegas is becoming quite the sports hub.
Las Vegas Sports: a Quick History
Sports in Southern Nevada have traditionally been slow-growing. With gambling and sports bets everywhere, people used to be nervous about bringing Las Vegas into the national sports leagues. But we’ve been in the minor leagues and college sports for a long time.
Starting with baseball, the Las Vegas Aviators (formally known as the Las Vegas 51s and Las Vegas Stars) are a minor league team that’s been around since 1983, a Triple-A baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), and Oakland Athletics affiliate. Locals could watch them play from Cashman Field before their new ballpark was ready in 2018, bringing minor league baseball to Summerlin.
The University of Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels have been around for decades, with the first basketball team formed in 1958. Since then, the Rebs formed baseball, football, and many other sports teams over the years. Local Vegas fans love to gather for games against our biggest rivalry teams from UNR. But no one knew how hungry Vegas fans would be for more sports until those sports came to Sin City.
Sports in Las Vegas These Days
Starting with the birth of the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, Las Vegans were ready for a National team playing at the major league level. Most of all, Las Vegas was looking for a team that could win games – which is exactly what the Golden Knights provided during their first few seasons. Then came the rebranding of the Las Vegas Aces in 2018, and the new Las Vegas Aviators baseball park in 2019. The Aces started winning and the locals loved it.
Since then, the biggest sports news to hit Las Vegas was the opening of Allegiant Stadium and our very first National Football team. And it’s not over yet. A new minor league hockey team, The Silver Knights, recently built shop in Henderson, NV. And don’t forget the rodeo, which has been coming to Vegas for years. Plus, The Las Vegas Motor Speedway was named Speedway of the Year for the seventh time since the award’s inception in 2013. The speedway hosted more than 1,400 events this year, including two NASCAR tripleheader weekends, two NHRA national events, and even EDC.
Las Vegas Raiders
Probably the biggest sports news to hit Las Vegas recently is the addition of our very first National Football team, the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders home games are held at the Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, and the venue is breathtaking compared to their previous home grounds in Oakland, CA. Fans flock to the stadium for Raiders games (and UNLV football games). Their relocation has brought more job opportunities to locals, which has also boosted community morale. The first game played in the Stadium caused a lot of excitement, something Las Vegas knows well.
Sports in Summerlin
On the Northwest side of town, you will find some major sports attractions, including the Las Vegas Ballpark and the Vegas Golden Knights practice facility at City National Arena. The open practices at City National are a staple for the Knights and their biggest fans.
If baseball is more your thing, stop by the Las Vegas Ballpark, beautifully situated on eight acres in Downtown Summerlin. The Las Vegas Ballpark is home to the Las Vegas Aviators and many local and corporate events, including this year’s Enchant Christmas.
While you’re in Summerlin, don’t forget about all the amazing trails, community centers, and parks that run through this side of town. Between pickleball, tennis, walking trails, and fitness centers, there is always something to do to stay active in Summerlin.
Vegas Sports Coming Soon
The Las Vegas sports scene has included golf and the PGA Tour for decades, dating back to the 1953 Tournament of Champions. The Shriners Children’s Open debuted in 1983 and TPC Summerlin is proud to be an ongoing host for this annual event. Another big event, the annual East-West Shrine Bowl, is scheduled to be played in Las Vegas’ new 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium for the first time on Feb. 3, 2022.
Other upcoming sports new in the Las Vegas scene include the NFL Pro Bowl, coming to Allegiant Stadium Feb. 6, 2022, the NFL Draft April of 2022, and there is even talk of bringing the Superbowl to Vegas in 2024. Non-football-related sports events hitting the Vegas scene include the 2022 NHL All-Star Game, and don’t forget about the UFC. All-in-all, if you’re into sports, Las Vegas is becoming the place to be.