The Las Vegas Arena is up and mostly intact as it nears its final stages of construction; likewise, the NHL is in the final stage deciding if a new franchise will call the arena its home.
Owned by AEG and MGM Resorts international, the $375 million arena’s primary structure is in place as work continues on internal components of the future multi-events venue located on the west side of the south end of the Las Vegas Strip behind the New York New York casino.
The NHL by January is scheduled to decide whether or not Las Vegas will get an NHL franchise to play in the arena starting in 2017, the Las Angeles Times reported.
The 650,000-square-foot arena would hold up to 17,500 fans for hockey matches, 18,800 for basketball, and is scheduled to open in spring 2016.
Arena plans include 50 suites, club seating, tiered logo seats, a party area, plenty of restrooms and 45 concessions areas, the Times reported.
A naming-rights partner for the arena is in the works, and the venue will host about 140 events each year if it gets the NHL franchise, including boxing and UFC matches, college basketball games and tournaments, concerts, and awards shows, in addition to hockey matches.
