"Sin City Shines Brighter with each Sports Event."
College Football's Championship Game to be Held in Las Vegas in 2027
Las Vegas has scored another monumental win in the sports world, as the College Football Playoff (CFP) announced that Allegiant Stadium, home to the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders and UNLV Rebels, will host the CFP national championship game on January 25, 2027. The city, now in the spotlight as the third in the Pacific time zone to host the CFP championship, after San Francisco Bay area in 2019 and Los Angeles in 2023, is eagerly anticipated to set the stage for the crownings of college football's finest in 2027.
Rich Clark, College Football Playoff's Executive Director, shares the enthusiasm, stating, "Las Vegas is a city with boundless energy, and there's no better stage to crown the best team in college football in 2027."
A Rising Sports Titan
Once consigned to sports obscurity in the United States, Las Vegas has emerged as a sports powerhouse following the US Supreme Court's decision to strike down PASPA and the surge of legal sports betting. Aside from local teams and the NBA's summer league, there wasn't much sports action in the city. However, the tide has changed dramatically, with professional leagues and teams collaborating with sports betting operators to transform the city's sports landscape.
The shift towards sports domination commenced in 2017, with the NHL's Las Vegas Golden Knights taking the ice for their inaugural season as an expansion team. The following year, the WNBA's San Antonio Stars relocated to Las Vegas and became the Aces. Both teams have claimed championships in Sin City.
The NFL's Raiders moved from Oakland to Las Vegas at the start of the 2020 season, while the MLB's A's are also planning a move from Oakland to Las Vegas. Their new stadium will be built on the former Tropicana site on the Strip, with the A's playing in Sacramento for at least three years prior.
Allegiant Stadium has already hosted major national sporting events as Las Vegas cements its position as a US sports hotbed. Super Bowl LVIII took place at the venue in 2024, alongside three matches during the 2024 Copa América. WWE Wrestlemania 41 will be held at Allegiant Stadium this year, and the NCAA men's basketball Final Four will take place there in 2028.
A robust calendar of sporting events is scheduled for Allegiant Stadium, further solidifying its status as a premier sports venue:
- 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup: Allegiant Stadium will host a doubleheader on June 22, featuring Mexico vs. Costa Rica and Saudi Arabia vs. Trinidad and Tobago.
- Concerts: While no other specific sports events are scheduled beyond the Concacaf Gold Cup, Allegiant Stadium consistently hosts concerts and non-sporting events, such as the Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Coldplay's Music of the Spheres World Tour, and Shakira's Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.
For sports enthusiasts, Las Vegas continues to offer a diverse range of competitions and tournaments throughout the year, positioning itself as a global sports destination.
1 - Sources:[1] Enrichment Data: Allegiant Stadium to host doubleheader during 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup (ESPN, 2020-07-13)[2] Enrichment Data: Various concerts and events scheduled for Allegiant Stadium (VegasNews.com, 2021-08-05)
2 - Enrichment Data:
Overall:
Las Vegas has become a prominent venue for major national sporting events, with Allegiant Stadium serving as a central hub for various high-profile events every year. The city continues to grow as a popular destination for sports fans, boasting an impressive calendar of competitions and tournaments throughout the year.
Minor League Baseball and Basketball Events
In addition to major league sports, Las Vegas has hosted several minor league events:
- 2025 Triple-A National Championship Game: Las Vegas Ballpark will host the final game on September 27, showcasing the best minor league baseball teams (SF Chronicle, 2021-08-19)
- USA Wrestling Championship: The West Coast National Championships will be held from July 11 to July 13 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, attracting the top amateur wrestlers (LVCVA Sports & Entertainment, 2021-07-13)
- Basketball Tournaments: The West Coast National Championships, a significant youth basketball tournament, will take place from July 11 to July 13 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (DNB Sports, 2021-06-14)
3 - Enrichment Data:
Light Rail Project
A light rail project, referred to as the Regional Rail Project, has been proposed to strengthen the city's public transportation infrastructure, connecting key attractions and sports venues, including Allegiant Stadium, T-Mobile Arena, the Las Vegas Ballpark, and the Las Vegas Convention Center (RTC, 2021-07-12)
- Vegas' versatile sports scene has been elevated with the announcement that Allegiant Stadium, located in the city, will host the 2027 NFL-affiliated College Football Playoff national championship game, making it a beacon for American football and sports betting enthusiasts alike.
- In the midst of Las Vegas' rise as a sports titan, the city's favorable stance on sports betting has played a significant role. This has encouraged professional leagues and teams to collaborate, transforming the city into a thriving hub for sports action, extending from casino-and-gambling hotspots to major sports events like football games.
- The sports landscape in Las Vegas continues to evolve as the city hosts a multitude of events throughout the year. Alongside the CFP national championship game, Allegiant Stadium will also host the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup and minor league events like the Triple-A National Championship Game and USA Wrestling Championship, solidifying its standing as a premier sports destination.