Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Five sporting events that have a major impact on the local economy

Although Las Vegas lacks any major league sports teams to call its own, the city is host to several large sporting events throughout the year.

Together, these events combine to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity for the city.

The Las Vegas Sun took a look at five of the biggest sporting events to roll through town in the last year:

    • Maaco Bowl Las Vegas

      An annual clash between Mountain West and Pac-12 football teams, the Maaco Bowl in Las Vegas draws thousands of visitors each year to Sam Boyd Stadium.

      Last year’s game, in which Boise State routed Arizona State 56-24, drew an estimated attendance of 37,000 people and generated $18 million in nongaming economic impact, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

    • NASCAR Weekend

      Perhaps the city’s biggest annual sporting event, NASCAR Weekend drew about 148,000 attendees in 2011, resulting in a $136 million gain for the local economy, not including gaming revenues, according to the LVCVA.

      Small signs of economic improvement and an uptick in tourism have LVCVA officials hopeful that this year’s weekend, which includes several races over five days, concluding with the Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, will be even more successful than last year’s.

    • Boxing

      In a city famous for its fights, Las Vegas’s economy is often the biggest winner whenever major title bouts come to town, especially when they include boxing superstars like Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr.

      Pacuqiao’s fight against Shane Mosley in May 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena drew over 16,000 attendees, about 2,000 more people than Mayweather’s September knockout win over Victor Ortiz.

      The impact of the Pacquiao fight was measured at $10.6 million, while the Mayweather fight generated about $9.5 million in nongaming activity for the local economy.

    • National Finals Rodeo

      For one week each year, Sin City becomes Cowboy City as nearly 50,000 visitors roll into town for the National Finals Rodeo.

      The event, hosted at the Thomas & Mack Center, generated about $60 million in nongaming economic impact during its 2011 stay in Las Vegas.

    • NHRA Drag Races

      Although the cars are a bit different and travel only in straight lines rather than around curves, the National Hot Rod Association’s visit to Las Vegas has a similar, if smaller, impact on the local economy as NASCAR Weekend.

      Last year’s drag races attracted about 40,000 fans, creating $28.9 million in nongaming economic activity.

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