The Raiders have officially arrived in Sin City. Anticipation has mounted for weeks as details emerged about the team’s first home game in the city’s state-of-the-art 65,000 capacity Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders delivered a 34-24 win over the visiting New Orleans Saints, for a record of 2-0.
But it was halftime that signaled to the world that the Raiders were finally home. Hometown boys the Killers hit the Nobu Villa rooftop at Caesars Palace with Frontman Brandon Flowers welcoming the team to Vegas, and telling the Monday Night Football audience that “we have just the song for the occasion” before launching into a riveting performance of their signature anthem “Mr. Brightside.”
And it’s not just football with a bright future here. Las Vegas is no stranger to the fusion of professional sports and top-flight entertainment. Back in 2018, when the town hosted the Stanley Cup Finals, half-time entertainment included a set by Vegas-natives Panic! at the Disco—aboard a floating stage right in the middle of the iconic Fountains at the Bellagio.
And not just at half-time. Surprises that June included a free set by Lil’ Jon, “the King of Krunk,” at the pregame festivities at the Toshiba Plaza outside T-Mobile Arena. Bedecked in a Golden Knights Jersey, the rapper proclaimed his fandom for both the Knights and Vegas before getting the crowd pumped up.
The introduction to the Finals was purely Vegas, with a spectacle worthy of the Cirque. Following a booming announcement reminding the arena that “the West belongs to Vegas,” fans witnessed a breathless joust on the ice between the Golden Knight himself and an evil Capitals swordsman, who dropped in from the very rafters of the T-Mobile arena. All before a single player hit the ice.
You can bet that Vegas will continue to bring the best of music and sporting worlds together as only Sin City can.
Because that’s what we do.
