Not long ago, visitors to Las Vegas mostly had to stay indoors to enjoy a title fight or rodeo, but two recent outdoor events venues are changing that.
The Las Vegas Events Center, owned by The D Las Vegas, has transformed the site of a former courthouse, more recently used for valet parking, into a multi-purpose events venue capable of holding up to 10,000 for concerts and providing great seats for nationally televised boxing matches and other events.
On May 21, The Downtown Las Vegas Events Center hosted Knockout Night at the D, which has a two-fight headliner and the cable TV network CBS Sports televised live.
Derek Stevens, co-owner of The D and its events center, says the outdoor venue is intended to provide affordable, high-quality entertainment for Las Vegas families and visitors alike.
The crowd at Knockout Night at the D would indicate Stevens’ vision has
become reality, as fight fans paid between $20 and $110 for an evening at the fights in ideal weather under the stars in Las Vegas.
A cool breeze, great views from virtually every seat, and busy concessions ensured fight fans had a great evening of entertainment and likely will come back for more.
Another outdoor events venue, MGM Resorts International’s Las Vegas Village for the first time hosted the 84-year-old, annual Las Vegas Helldorado Days rodeo and carnival.
Las Vegas Village is located in an open, 15-acre lot directly across from MGM’s Luxor casino, and is bordered by the Las Vegas Strip, Reno Avenue, and the winding Giles Street.
MGM opened Las Vegas Village two years ago with the intent of using it for many larger events and music festivals. The site can be configured to accommodate many different types of events, and has ample parking on lots located east of the festival site, or at several nearby casinos.
During the May 13-15 Helldorado Days event, the site hosted the annual PRCA Rodeo during the daytime. The rodeo last year was held in the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Las Vegas Village also hosted a popular Professional Bull Rider’s Association rodeo event during the evening hours, enabling MGM to take in up to double what it normally might from the property for hosting two events in one location.
The rodeo events are among several held each year at Las Vegas Village, which, along with the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, is demonstrating outdoor entertainment has a future in Las Vegas.
