The saga of building the first state-of-the-art arena on the Strip in more than 20 years—one intended to finally draw a Big Four league professional sports team to Las Vegas—comes to a close as of this week when two top battle-born acts from different eras take the stage on opening night this Wednesday. It couldn’t be more fitting for the first engagement to be a dream double-bill of Wayne Newton and The Killers on April 6, as for a long time the idea of a new arena seemed like a fantasy pursuit. At least five different locations—including one downtown and one south of the Strip—were pursued in the past decade, but in the end MGM Resorts and entertainment behemoth AEG partnered to break ground on acreage between New York-New York and the Monte Carlo. The fantasy became reality.
That reality comes in the form of a nearly $400 million, 20,000-seat venue that will be home to basketball, boxing and mixed-martial arts, ice hockey, concerts and rodeo events. After the first shovels went into earth on May 1, 2014, 7,100 tons of steel went into the structural framework that rose from the ground. Global architectural firm Populous went for LEED Gold Certification when it came to “green” design, creating a 650,000-square-foot complex with dozens of luxury suites and a 2-acre outdoor space dubbed Toshiba Plaza after the tech company secured the naming rights. Cell phone giant T-Mobile secured multiyear rights to the arena itself, enabling its customers to have a fast-track VIP venue entrance, presales and seat upgrades. All patrons will have access to charging stations available throughout the T-Mobile Arena concourse.
The floor level is designed for both seated and standing audiences, depending on the preference of the acts performing in concert. Lower-level and upper-level seating is designed to optimize sightlines. Master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim and Levy Restaurants have partnered to bring craft cocktail and food experiences to the masses attending events, including Abou-Ganim’s T-Mobile Arena signature drink Atomic Fizz (Grey Goose Le Citron vodka, Aperol orange liqueur, agave nectar, prickly pear puree, freshly squeezed lemon juice and sparkling water). Bespoke cocktail service will be offered in the most luxurious suites, and a bar specializing in whiskey and Scotch will be complemented by the Goose Island Bar featuring ice stations manned by carving chefs.
Unprecedented arena cuisine options will be offered at events such as the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament in Las Vegas and Frozen Fury hockey meeting between the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche. Both annuals move across the Strip from the MGM Garden Arena, with thousands more seats available and the option of luxury boxes from which to watch the action. After Wayne Newton and The Killers christen the arena, an A-list roster of concert draws follows, including George Strait, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Billy Joel, Janet Jackson, Garth Brooks, the Dixie Chicks and Keith Urban. The Harlem Globetrotters break in the basketball court April 19, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez fights Amir Khan on May 7, milestone MMA event
UFC 200 takes place July 9 and in November, the Professional Bull Riders bring the 2016 World Finals to T-Mobile from its previous home at Thomas and Mack Center.
As of yet, there is no top-tier professional sports franchise planning to make its home at T-Mobile Arena, but with the presence of a fully modern venue the idea of an NHL team with “Las Vegas” in its name is no longer far-fetched. With 14,000 season ticket deposits testifying to the hunger for hockey on the Strip, it’s less a matter of if than when, with the NBA watching closely. All that’s left is to start coming up with proposals for team names.
T-Mobile Arena, 888.929.7849
