City of Las Vegas to Allocate $3.65 Million Towards NBA Tournament and College Football Events
Las Vegas to Host Major Sports Events, Boosting Tourism
The city of Las Vegas is set to host two significant sports events in the coming years, with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) committing a total of $3.65 million to make it happen.
The first event is the revival of the Las Vegas Kickoff Classic, a college football kickoff games series that will take place at Allegiant Stadium. According to John Saccenti, who oversees the Vegas Kickoff Classic, the return of this event is expected to draw more than 290,000 visitors and generate over 215,000 hotel room nights during the four-year stretch. The first matchup in 2027 will feature Miami against Utah, followed by North Dakota State versus Montana State in 20228, Montana versus South Dakota State in 2029, and Texas Tech versus Arkansas in 2030.
The other event is the NBA's midseason tournament, the Emirates NBA Cup. The semifinals and finals of this tournament will be held at T-Mobile Arena from December 14-16, marking the third straight year the league's semifinals and finals are in Las Vegas. The LVCVA will contribute $1 million as part of a sponsorship deal for the Emirates NBA Cup.
The funding for the Las Vegas Kickoff Classic will be staggered, with $1 million in 2027, $1.25 million in 2028, $1.35 million in 2029, and $2.65 million in 2030. Between 2027 and 2030, ESPN Productions will host five Las Vegas Kickoff Classic college football games at Allegiant Stadium, and the LVCVA has agreed to provide $2.65 million to fund these events.
Last year's Emirates NBA Cup attracted over 17,300 out-of-town fans and nearly 19,000 hotel stays. The championship game of last year's tournament drew 2.99 million TV viewers on ABC. Next year, the semifinals and finals of the Emirates NBA Cup will be streamed on Prime Video.
Organizers believe that these events will be a powerful way to defeat the current tourism slump and keep the city buzzing with visitors and stadiums packed with fans. The return of the Las Vegas Kickoff Classic and the continued hosting of the Emirates NBA Cup are seen as crucial to maintaining the vibrant and energetic atmosphere that Las Vegas is known for.
The sponsorship deal for the Emirates NBA Cup includes advertising, marketing, and hospitality opportunities before, during, and after the event. The LVCVA will inject an additional $2.65 million across the Las Vegas Kickoff Classic series.
With these major sports events on the horizon, Las Vegas is poised to continue its reputation as a premier destination for sports fans and tourists alike.
