Las Vegas is a desert city that we all associate with the sprawling casinos, the brightly coloured neon-lit strip, and the endless list of entertainment from some of the world’s biggest names in showbiz.

For a long time, the city lacked any major sports teams as the US’ top leagues shunned Las Vegas. This began to change in 2018 when sports betting was permitted in more US states and these major leagues started to embrace Nevada’s legendary city of gaming and extravagance.

For sports fans that love to wander the world, Las Vegas is quickly becoming a top destination with events taking place throughout the year. So, no matter what time you’re planning a trip, you’ll find plenty going on.

World Series of Poker

The World Series of Poker is the biggest poker tournament in the sport and has been taking place in Las Vegas long before most other professional sports started showing up in the city. The tournament began in 1970 and has blossomed into an international affair with players coming from across the globe to compete for one of the coveted WSOP bracelets.

One of the unique things about poker tournaments is that they are accessible to a much broader spectrum of people, with skilled amateurs able to compete with seasoned professionals in the same events. For the WSOP, a programme of satellite tournaments helps talented players from around the world earn a spot in the Main Event.

Of course, you can’t just rock up to a satellite event and expect to bag a spot in a prestigious Las Vegas tournament. Successfully satelliting into a high stakes tournament requires a unique approach compared to other types of play, with a greater focus on maximising expected value and chip accumulation, which takes plenty of practice and planning.

For casual fans, you can have just as much fun watching the action unfold. The WSOP takes place in Vegas every year with 2024’s event running from late May until mid-July.

Football

The NFL was one of the most reluctant sports leagues when it came to embracing Las Vegas, but when it did, it went all in. The sport moved a franchise into the city, uprooting the Oakland Raiders from California to a new stadium in the desert in order to become the Las Vegas Raiders.

In 2024, it also hosted the first ever Super Bowl in Nevada, creating a spectacular show that was noteworthy even for Las Vegas, a city that puts on a show every night.

If you’re a football fan thinking of hitting up the city, then the best time to visit is during the final few months of the year when the NFL season is in full swing.

Motorsports

Las Vegas has had a difficult relationship with motorsports. The city hosted the Caesars Palace Grand Prix for several years in the 1980s, though it wasn’t particularly popular amongst fans. IndyCar has also hosted events in Vegas in the past, though not since 2011.

2023 ushered in a new chapter for high octane racing though, with Formula 1 cars speeding through the city in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The race saw some of the best drivers in the world reaching speeds of over 200mph down the famous strip with legendary casinos as the backdrop.

The 2024 event will take place in late November and is expected to be a sell out following the success of the inaugural Grand Prix.

Contact Sports

Boxing has called Las Vegas home for half a century, while both wrestling and MMA have also found a warm welcome in the city. Barely a week goes by without some form of fight taking place in one of the casinos or arenas that tower over the Las Vegas streets.

This makes almost any time of year ideal for fans of contact sports to visit the city. And, with a bit of planning, you can have your trip coincide with when one of boxing, wrestling, or MMA’s biggest names are scheduled to step into the ring.