MGM Resorts International will unveil its Park and T-Mobile Arena properties in Las Vegas during special events slated during the first week of April.
MGM says the co-developments, which are located between the New York-New York and Monte Carlo casinos, “underscore Las Vegas’ evolution as a destination for a new set of travelers.”
Instead of gaming-oriented attractions, MGM and other casino developers are looking at more events and retail space, where they can derive profits from leasing out space and packing hotels with visitors intent on spending their money on something other than gambling.
The Park opens on Monday, April 4, with press tours scheduled during the day and a public lighting ceremony of its 40-foot Bliss Dance sculpture in the Toshiba Plaza area near the new arena at 8 p.m.
“The Park embodies the stunning natural desert-scape of the Mojave” and creates an “open-air patio environment and community gathering place that leads to T-Mobile Arena,” MGM says.
Along its walkways, visitors can sample food and drinks at the Shake Shack, Beerhaus, Sake Rok, Bruxie, and California Pizza Kitchen, or they can shop at local stores and generally enjoy the great outdoors right next to the Las Vegas Strip.
Recording artist Nicki Minaj headlines T-Mobile Arena’s opening night on April 6, with Ariana Grande scheduled to perform as well.
MGM is hosting a media tour earlier in the day, and plans at least 100 events at the new arena, for which T-Mobile agreed to pay $365 million for naming rights.
MGM has a target of 200 events per year to make the arena a full success, and those events should drive spending in casinos, restaurants, entertainment venues, and retail stores.
It hopes to land an NHL franchise, which would ensure the arena meets its 200-events per year target, and Las Vegas and Quebec City are the only current candidates for franchises.
Unfortunately, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the league isn’t in a hurry to expand, owners would have to approve a team in Las Vegas, and there are no plans to hold an expansion vote.
In the meantime, concerts will be among the top attractions at the new arena, starting with Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande.
