Las Vegas remains ahead of its 2025 pace for visitation, but the World Cup in June didn’t give it the boost that many had expected. Instead, convention business continues to carry the day for Las Vegas in 2026.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported Tuesday that the city’s 3.08 million visitors were down .5% from June 2025, 15,000 visitors, to 3.07 million. The LVCVA cited fewer concerts and special events that drive tourism. Officials hoped the World Cup would generate side trips to Las Vegas, which decided not to bid to hold any matches.
On the plus side, the 471,100 convention visitors were a 25.8% increase over the 374,600 in June 2025. For the year, convention attendance is surging, up 12.6% through the first half of 2026, about 409,000 people, 3.64 million total.
Visitor volume overall for the year is up .2% from 19.55 million a year ago to 19.58 million so far in 2026. Hotel occupancy is 82% for the year to date.
Recent visitation trends showed May +2%; Apr. -2%, Mar. +2%; Feb. +2%; Jan. -2%; Dec. -9%; Nov. -5%; Oct. -4%; Sept. -9%; Aug. -7%; July -12%; June 2025 -11%.
Strip hotels appeared to benefit from the convention uptick, with occupancy at 82.2% in June, up from 81.9% a year ago. For the year, Strip occupancy is 85.1%, up from 84.9%
Downtown, however, suffered. It had occupancy of 55.8% in June, down from 62.5% a year ago. For the year, it’s 66.1%, down from 69.7% a year ago. That matches what Richard Liem, Fertitta Entertainment that owns the Golden Nugget in downtown, told the Gaming Control Board.
“Downtown Las Vegas is a little challenging today,” Liem said. “Some international travel has declined with geopolitical tensions. A big promotion with Canadians here for the soccer tournament (by Circa Las Vegas) drove some traffic. They come and they go. It gets soft and it gets strong.”
A report from Toronto in The Guardian Tuesday said Canadians spent $3.3 billion less on travel to the U.S. in 2025 in an apparent rebuke of the Trump Administration and political turmoil over tariffs and threats of annexation. Canadians, instead, have chosen to travel to other international destinations. Visits were up 14% to Europe and 17% to Asia.
In June, Las Vegas weekend occupancy was 87.1%, down from 87.6% a year ago. Midweek occupancy was 75.1%.
Strip room rates recorded a rare year-over-year decline, falling to $165.45, down 5.1% from $174.31 a year ago in June. For the year, Strip room rates are up 4.1%, from $199.79 a year ago to $208.02 this year. Downtown room rates were $84.92 in June, a 3% decline from $87.55 a year ago. Downtown room rates at $66.68 for the year are down 4.5%.
Strip revenue per room was $136 in June, down 4.7% from $142.76 a year ago. For the year, it’s up 4.4% to $177.03. Downtown revenue per room was $47.39 in June, a drop of 13.4% from $54.72 a year ago. For the year, it’s down 4.5% to $66.68.
Passenger counts at Harry Reid International Airport weren’t available as of Tuesday. Las Vegas was aided by a pickup in vehicle traffic between the California and Nevada border with a 5.2% increase and 4.1% for the year. June travel from Arizona on one-third the volumes compared to the California border fell 5.7%.
Special events included the New Kids on the Block performing on various dates in June at the Dolby Live Theater at Park MGM. The MSG Sphere featured the Wizard of Oz throughout June, hosted No Doubt on various dates in June, and hosted Kenny Chesney on various dates in June. The Colosseum at Caesars Palace hosted Rod Stewart on various dates during the month and hosted Jerry Seinfeld June 26-28. Bryan Adams performed at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas June 3-6.
