In the decade that followed the NHL awarding Las Vegas its first professional sports franchise in June 2016, the city has rapidly made it mark as one of the premiere sports destinations in the world.
From landing multiple pro teams and some of the biggest events in the country, Las Vegas’ momentum should carry on for years to come.
Here are the key dates in the history of Las Vegas and pro sports explosion since 2016:
June 22, 2016:
The NHL awards Bill Foley with an expansion team, marking the first of the four major professional sports leagues to take a major gamble on Las Vegas.
Nov. 22, 2016:
Foley announces his NHL team will be named the Vegas Golden Knights.
March 27, 2017:
NFL owners in a 31-1 vote approve of the Raiders relocation from Oakland to Las Vegas.
Oct. 17, 2017:
The WNBA announces that the San Antonio Stars will be relocated to Las Vegas, with MGM Resorts International set to own and operate the team.
Nov. 13, 2017:
A groundbreaking ceremony is held for the Raiders’ future home stadium in Las Vegas, on 62 acres located just west of the Strip on Russell Road.
Dec. 11, 2017:
MGM Resorts announces their WNBA franchise will be named the Las Vegas Aces and will play its home games at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (now named Michelob Ultra Arena).
July 31, 2020:
The $2 billion Allegiant Stadium is deemed substantially complete.
April 28-30, 2022:
Las Vegas hosts the 2022 NFL Draft, after the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of initial plans for the city to host the event in 2020. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell tells the Review-Journal that the draft was “better than perfect.”
Feb. 4-5, 2022:
T-Mobile Arena hosts the NHL All-Star Game, marking the first time the NHL had held the event in Las Vegas.
Feb. 6, 2022:
Allegiant Stadium hosts Las Vegas’ first NFL Pro Bowl, after the 2021 event planned for the facility was canceled amid the pandemic.
Sept. 18, 2022:
The Aces win the WNBA title, beating the Connecticut Sun 78-71, to win the series 3-1 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. The win marks the first major professional championship won by a Las Vegas team.
Sept. 20. 2022:
The first-ever championship parade is held on the Las Vegas Strip, to celebrate the Aces 2022 WNBA championship.
Feb. 2 and 5, 2023:
Las Vegas hosts the revamped Pro Bowl Games at Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders Henderson practice facility and at Bear’s Best Golf Course.
June 13, 2023:
The Vegas Golden Knights win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup final, beating the Florida Panthers 9-3, to win the series 4-1 in front of a home crowd at T-Mobile Arena.
Oct. 18, 2023:
The Aces win back-to-back WNBA titles when they defeat the New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4, to win the series 3-1 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Nov. 16, 2023:
Major League Baseball owners unanimously approve of the Athletics’ relocation plans from Oakland to Las Vegas.
Feb. 11, 2024:
Allegiant Stadium hosts Super Bowl 58 where the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime. The first Super Bowl hosted in Las Vegas history occurred less than four years after the 65,000-seat stadium was completed.
June 28-29, 2024:
The NHL hosts its entry draft in Las Vegas for the first time at the Sphere, marking the first sporting event to take place at the $2.3 billion immersive arena.
Oct. 10, 2025:
The Aces win their third WNBA title in four years, cementing the team’s status as a dynasty. The Aces beat the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 in Game 4 to take the series 4-0 at Mortgage Matchup Arena in Phoenix.
March 25, 2026:
The NBA officially announces that the league is exploring Las Vegas for a potential expansion franchise.
April 9 and 11, 2026:
Las Vegas hosted the city’s first NCAA men’s Frozen Four at T-Mobile Arena. Denver beat Wisconsin 2-1 to win the men’s Division-I hockey championship.
Jun 22, 2026:
Ten years to the day that the NHL awarded Foley with an expansion team, he announces that he is entering a bid to land an NBA expansion team, should the league choose to move forward by adding a team to city.
Upcoming milestones
Jan. 25, 2027:
Las Vegas will host the College Football Playoff national championship game for the first time in the city’s history at Allegiant Stadium.
Feb 29, 2028:
The Athletics’ $2 billion Las Vegas ballpark is scheduled for substantial completion.
Late March/early April 2028:
The A’s will kick off their inaugural MLB season in Las Vegas on Opening Day.
April 1 and 3, 2028:
Las Vegas will host the first NCAA men’s division I Final Four in the city’s history at Allegiant Stadium.
Octorber 2028:
If the NBA decides to expand to Las Vegas and Seattle, the targeted first season is 2028-29.
February 2029:
The NFL announced in March that Las Vegas will host its second Super Bowl in a five-year span, when the big game takes place in 2029 at Allegiant Stadium.
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.
