A Visiting Fan’s Guide to Raiders Games at Allegiant Stadium

Allegiant Stadium is a marvelous structure off the Las Vegas Strip that has changed the dynamic for casino properties on it. (Image: Erik Kabik / Media Punch)

Allegiant Stadium is home to the Las Vegas Raiders and hosts numerous big concerts and other sporting events annually. It’s about a one-mile walk from Mandalay Bay across the I-15 freeway and can be the center of many visitors’ weekends.

Even though the Raiders are Las Vegas’ home team, the majority of fans attending the games aren’t from southern Nevada. According to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority (LVSA), more than 60% of fans attending Raiders games were from “out of town.” It’s the highest percentage of visiting fans at NFL stadiums and this shouldn’t be much of a surprise. 

According to the third quarter Stadium Activity report from the LVSA, at least 80% of the attendees at Allegiant Stadium were in Las Vegas specifically to see the game or show they experienced.

Allegiant Stadium, site of the 2024 Super Bowl, cost $1.9 billion to build and has changed the Las Vegas landscape. And all us new fans of the Silver and Black are beginning to learn about Raiders toughness and heartbreak. 

Here’s a guide to getting the most out of your visit to Las Vegas when Allegiant Stadium is your primary destination. 

Las Vegas Raiders Home Schedule

Kickoff for Raiders Games is typically 1 pm. Gates to Allegiant Stadium open at 11 am. 

Week 3: Sept. 22 vs. Carolina
Week 4: Sept. 29 vs. Cleveland
Week 6: Oct. 13 vs. Pittsburgh
Week 8: Oct. 27 vs. Kansas City
Week 12: Nov. 24 vs. Denver
Week 15: Dec. 16 vs. Atlanta*
Week 16: Dec. 22 vs. Jacksonville
Week 18: Jan. 4 or 5 vs. L.A. Chargers

* Monday Night Football - 5:30 pm kickoff

Closest Hotels to Allegiant Stadium

Allegiant is just west of the I-15 freeway. It’s not on the Vegas Strip but the stadium is within relatively easy walking distance from three adjacent casino resorts.

Two resorts have a direct path from their hotel doors to Allegiant. Luxor and Mandalay Bay (and the attached Delano) empty out onto Hacienda Avenue, which is the primary artery connecting Allegiant to the Strip.

Because of their proximity, these places, as well as Excalibur, which is the next casino-resort north of Luxor, always have activities for people in town for the game. 

Getting to and from Allegiant Stadium

Navigating to and from a 65,000-seat stadium with hardly any on-site parking could seem daunting, but there are options to make the trek more enjoyable. 

Parking and Shuttle Buses

There are only 6,000 on-site, tailgate-worthy parking spaces at Allegiant. The cost to park there ranges from $45 to $100 and higher. Parking passes often sell out in advance, and become a hot commodity on the secondary market with tickets for the games themselves.

The Palms Casino Resort, about 2 miles from Allegiant, offers gameday parking for $40 and provides a free shuttle to and from the stadium. 

Downtown, Circa Hotel and Casino offers the same service for $50.

Walking and Pedicabs

The most popular way to get to and from Allegiant stadium is simply walking. 

The hike is about a mile and takes 15 minutes from Luxor and Mandalay Bay. Add five more minutes if you’re walking from Excalibur, and another five to 10 minutes if coming from New York, New York or MGM Grand.

The Hacienda bridge behind the casinos is closed to vehicular traffic on game days so the walk to and from the stadium is unobstructed. That said, with thousands on the bridge at any one time as kickoff approaches, the walk can be a little slow at times. 

There also are pedicabs that gather around the exit to the Mandalay Bay and Luxor parking garages who will take you across the Hacienda bridge usually for about $10/person.

Rideshare

Taking an Uber or Lyft (or even an old-fashioned taxi) is always a viable option. 

The rideshare zone for Allegiant Stadium is Lot N on Dean Martin Drive between Tropicana and Hacienda Avenues. The walk is a few minutes from the gates in and out of the stadium but shorter than crossing the bridge to get back to the Vegas Strip casinos.

RTC Gameday Express

One of the popular travel options for locals going to the game is the RTC Gameday Express. This service allows you to park for free at a suburban casino where you can catch a city bus that will take you straight to the game. 

The cost for a round-trip ticket – leaving from Red Rock casino in Summerlin, Santa Fe Station and Aliante casinos in Centennial Hills and North Las Vegas, Green Valley Ranch and M Resort in Henderson, and Sam’s Town on the east side – is $4.

Sports Betting at Allegiant Stadium?

A big surprise to some visitors is that the airport in Las Vegas has slot machines. However, there’s no gambling of any kind at Allegiant Stadium. 

So there are two options for fans who want to wager on the game.

1. In-person wagering. All the nearby casinos have sportsbooks, so no matter where you’re staying, you should be able to lay down a bet before the game. If you somehow forgot, or get a last-minute hunch you want to bet, the MGM casinos closest to the stadium will happily take your action. 
2. Mobile sports betting. You can do it anywhere in Nevada, including at Allegiant Stadium. Just know that new accounts must be registered in person at a casino sportsbook. The BetMGM app now has a single wallet feature so out-of-town bettors can use their local app here as well, but you still have to set up a Nevada account (at a land-based casino) before you can use it for betting here. 

Of the more than 60,000 people who fill Allegiant Stadium for Raiders home games, 60 percent are usually from out of town rooting for the opposing team. (Image: David Becker / AP)

Where to Eat and Drink Around Allegiant Stadium

Traditional pregaming for a stadium event often takes place in a parking lot. But in Las Vegas there are so many options at nearby casinos that people often begin their party at a casino bar before heading to the game.

‘Fan District’ Discounts

MGM Resorts has created a “Fan District” at Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Mandalay Place (the shopping corridor between the two). Multiple bars and restaurants in the Fan District offer drink discounts and food specials before and after the games. 

They also sometimes feature meet-n-greets and autograph signings with athletes and other celebrities.

The following bars offer discounted drinks before Raiders games:

• Aurora (Luxor)
• Centra (Luxor)
• Eye Candy (Mandalay Bay)
• Rhythm & Riffs (Mandalay Bay)

These bars and restaurants have discounts for ticket holders: 

• Diablo’s (Luxor)
• Franklin (Delano)
• Hazel (Mandalay Bay)
• Public House (Luxor)

While individual offers vary by locale, we’re talking $40 and $45 beer bucket specials, single beers as low as $9, $15 Cocktails and $10 Shots.While casino beer and cocktail prices have gotten a bit ridiculous in recent years, the discounted prices are notably less than what you can expect to pay at the stadium. 

The sportsbook at Mandalay Bay offers these same discounted prices regardless of whether or not you have a ticket to the game, and also allows you to reserve tables for up to five people for $100 or $200 drink minimums, depending on the location of table.

Meet Jonathan Stewart: Saturday, Sep. 21, 3-5 pm

The former Carolina Panther running back, the 2008 first-round draft pick and a 2015 Pro Bowl standout, will be Rhythm & Riffs in Mandalay Bay for a free Q&A session with fans.

In total, Mandalay Bay and Luxor have around 40 bars and restaurants. Between fine dining and quick-serve outlets, there’s something for everyone. A few other places catering to football fans on game days:

• Border Grill (Mandalay Bay)
• Flanker Sports Bar + Grill (Mandalay Place)
• House Of Blues (Mandalay Bay)
• Ri Ra Irish Pub (Mandalay Place) 

Non-Casino Diversions

One reason much of the pre-game festivities take place inside of the nearby casinos is because the area around Allegiant Stadium is still being developed. However, there are a couple options less than a mile away from the stadium that have established a name for themselves.

Tailgater Tavern (3990 W Russell Rd.) is a typical neighborhood pub. Nothing here is fancy but it will get the job done for those looking for cheap food and drink before or after the game.

WSKY Stadium (5625 Polaris Ave.) is a comparatively new bar and restaurant. The large menu includes more than 20 beers and 80 whiskeys. The venue has more than 40 TVs for those who want to feel the pre and post-game vibe without going into the stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders fans are a friendly bunch of characters always ready to help out visitors who come their way. (Image: Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports)

Tailgating at Allegiant Stadium

The majority of pre- and post-game festivities usually happen at one of the nearby casinos more so than in a parking lot. But Raider Nation is known for its tailgating culture, and as such Allegiant Stadium does have limited tailgating areas before a Raiders Game. 

The gates for tailgating vehicles at Allegiant Stadium open at 9 am. Cars may begin lining up for entry at 8 am. 

• Onsite Lots: A, B, C, E, F, G, H & J
• Offsite Lots: S, V, W, X, Dewey Lot

The Modelo Tailgate Zone is open to anyone who wants a pre-game party whether they have a ticket to the game or not. This is more of a party in and around a tent than a traditional parking lot tailgate.

This year, the Raiders will be introducing “Premium Tailgate Spaces.” This area will offer four spaces with two-story, climate-controlled private hospitality suites offering “upscale ambiance,” “all-inclusive packages,” a “game viewing experience” and seating for more than 15 people. The price for one of these spots starts at $20,000. 

Going Cashless at Allegiant Stadium

All fans should know that Allegiant Stadium is a cashless venue – for tickets, parking, concessions, souvenirs, everything! 

So bring your credit or debit cards, or have your digital payment methods ready to go. However, if you only brought cash, don’t fret. There are cash-to-card kiosks scattered throughout the stadium.

This is Vegas after all. You never have to look too far for a machine that can take your money.