The 2021 Super Bowl takes place in Tampa, Florida, on February 7, but it’s the 2024 Bowl that is sparking conversations everywhere. Officially, no city has been scheduled, but early in October both the city and the Las Vegas Raiders tendered an offer to host the event at its state-of-art Allegiant Stadium. With no decision yet taken, a League official has confirmed that the NFL is intrigued, citing the city’s unique mix of glamor and gaming as an enticement for fans. (Our brand-new $2 billion venue won’t hurt, either.)
You don’t have to wait for 2024 for football action. Just in time for the Nevada Day holiday, the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels met in-state rivals UNR’s Wolf Pack in the Rebels’ initial season home game–and, naturally, their first at Allegiant Stadium. Because of seating requirements, the limited number of pre-sale tickets vanished within an hour. However, you can catch all the gridiron action at the Strip’s newest and biggest sportsbook.
Located downtown, the Circa sportsbook opened October 28 to great fanfare. For weeks prior, social media was abuzz with details of its opulence. Teaser photos suggested that this was no run-of-the-mill betting parlor. Spread across three stories, early visitors describe the venue as ‘closer to a stadium than a traditional sportsbook.’ Its 78-million-pixel screen, in particular, has received not just rave reviews, but something closer to outright awe. The second-floor Overhang Bar also offers a pristine view of its array of screens, and in a nod to the younger set, broadcasters can get their podcast on in a specially designated area near the sportsbook. Local media are already wondering aloud how (and when) the other sportsbooks plan to react.
Meanwhile, as Vegas establishes its allure as a prime sporting destination, music remains–as ever–embedded in the city’s entertainment DNA. As attendance restrictions are loosened, live music is poised to make a roaring comeback. In December alone, the “Queen of Country Pop,” Shania Twain, commences a ten-day residency at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood, while acclaimed country duo Brooks and Dunn are set to perform several concerts at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
With residencies restarting all around the Strip, can arena shows be far behind? Look no further than February 2021, when country legend Garth Brooks brings his crack band to Allegiant Stadium. On Saturday, February 27, get ready for the King of Country to bring you a songbook that appeals across generations of fans. Don’t just take our word for it; Billboard has certified that Brooks is the only artist to score top-10 hits in the 1980s, 90s, 00s, 10s–and now in 2020 with his current single “Dive Bar.” His Sin City appearance (rescheduled from August) is certain to reignite the Vegas concert season with a bang!
