To start Wednesday’s earnings call, MGM Resorts International CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle said he and other staff on the call would not comment on a possible sale to Barry Diller’s People Inc.
“I’m confident our board would pursue the course of action that’s in the best interest of the company and our shareholders,” Hornbuckle said. “I don’t have anything more to share at this time.”
But everything else was fair game, notably how Las Vegas is evolving as a destination.
While noting that Las Vegas is collectively down 3.5 million visitors per year, Hornbuckle stated, “We’re a big event marketplace now.
“When something meaningful happens, whether it was just a UFC fight with (Conor) McGregor or again, believe it or not, BTS, the market responds to it with a great deal of interest and velocity. So we’re going to continue to drive it through both the city and independently with events like I mentioned, our Players Era basketball tournament (featuring NCAA teams in November), and other things that we all want to create, because live is what’s happening right now. It’s not lost on us or anybody else for that matter. The Sphere has been a big help for the community, with other competitors who have live entertainment, and we’re going to continue to do the same.”
MGM Resorts International Wednesday reported 2026 second-quarter revenue of $4.5 billion, an increase of 1% year over year. Net income attributed to MGM Resorts was $292 million during 2Q26, compared to $49 million in the prior year’s quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was $610 million in 2Q26, compared to $648 million year-over-year.
To bolster occupancy in Las Vegas, MGM launched all‑inclusive‑style promotional packages at properties including Luxor and Excalibur in March, which includes hotel rooms, three meals per day, and show tickets at MGM properties.
Hornbuckle noted that the promotion, which has booked over 30,000 nights, has “absolutely” helped to stabilize occupancy at those resorts. He noted that nearly half of the guests taking advantage of the promotion are first-time visitors. “We’ve followed it closely through social media and otherwise and it’s a great value at the end of the day.”
“We’ve seen a lot of interest and demand from the customers, particularly on the weekends,” said MGM Chief Operating Officer Ayesha Molina. “They’re actually purchasing the package at slightly higher rates, which has been accretive.”
Hornbuckle stated that international travel to Las Vegas is still down and patrons who drive in from California are “somewhat limited.”
But Molina noted that MGM’s regional operations are healthy. The operator is seeing “consistent visitation among our highest-frequency regional visitors, and we’re seeing consistent play among the top demographics here.
“I don’t know that I’d say there’s a one-to-one trade-off. I don’t really think of it that way,” Molina added. “As the overall macroeconomic environment continues to stabilize, particularly in southern California, and as Bill noted with international travel, I think we have every reason to be optimistic about Vegas.”
