Las Vegas tourism officials looking to use sports to fund increased visitation are earmarking $3.65 million to support an NBA tournament this year and the return of college football games from 2027 to 2030 after a two-year absence.
The Emirates NBA Cup returns to T-Mobile Arena Dec. 14-16 and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Tuesday is set to authorize $1 million as part of a sponsorship agreement. This marks the third year of the tournament.
“The sponsorship agreement will provide the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority with advertising, marketing, and hospitality opportunities before, during, and after the event,” said Brian Yost, the LVCVA’s chief operating officer.
After an absence of an early-season college football game at Allegiant Stadium in 2025 and 2026, the Las Vegas kickoff game will return in 2027 through 2030.
The agreement with ESPN Productions sets aside $2.65 million to host the games. Called the Las Vegas Kickoff Classic, the LVCVA is allocating $1 million for 2027, $650,000 for 2028, $350,000 for 2029, and $650,000 for 2030. The five games are expected to draw more than 290,000 out-of-town visitors who will occupy more than 215,000 room nights, Yost said. The games will air live on ESPN
“Labor Day, Las Vegas, College Football – it’s the perfect trifecta to celebrate the start of the season,” ESPN Vice President of Events Clint Overby said in a press release.
In 2024, the largest crowd in Allegiant Stadium history (63,969) saw a 27-20 USC win over LSU in the second Vegas Kickoff Classic. The inaugural Vegas Kickoff Classic in 2021 featured BYU defeating Arizona 24-16.
“After the record-breaking success of our season-opening game last year, it is exciting to announce these future matchups featuring brand-new markets for us with famously passionate fanbases,” said John Saccenti, executive director of the Vegas Kickoff Classic and Las Vegas Bowl.
In 2027, Las Vegas will host two games over Labor Day weekend. Miami will face Utah and North Dakota State, an 18-time national champ, will play against Montana State, a three-time national champ. The 2028 game will feature BYU versus Oregon State. The 2030 game features Texas Tech and Arkansas.
“Two regional rivalries involving national programs will help fill our upcoming slate of games,” Saccenti said. “We have a successful history of both BYU and Oregon State competing in our city and know Las Vegas is a perfect location to match two old rivals to kick off the 2030 season when Arkansas and Texas Tech come to town.”
In 2029, Allegiant Stadium will host another matchup of FCS powers when two-time national champ Montana faces South Dakota State, winner of back-to-back national titles in 2022 and 2023.
Beginning in November, NBA teams will compete in two tournament stages, group play and knockout rounds. The eight teams that advance to group play will advance to single-elimination knockout round games. Las Vegas hosts the semifinals and finals.
The LVCVA said the 2024 tournament drew more than 17,300 out-of-town visitors to the destination and
generated 19,000 room nights. The championship game in 2024 averaged 2.99 million viewers on ABC. The 2025 semi-final and championship games will be streamed on Prime Video.
