It’s not breaking news to say that gaming revenue in Las Vegas is on the decline. Gaming in Las Vegas isn’t dead, it’s definitely decreasing and it’s evolving. Twenty years ago there was a fun month of sports in March with an event called the NCAA Basketball Tournament. That basketball tournament is more commonly known as March Madness today. The games aren’t played in Las Vegas but the first weekend of March Madness has become one of the most popular weekends of the year.
The first weekend of March Madness is so popular that hotels are expecting that 98% of room capacity on the Vegas Strip to be occupied. Seeking Alpha says that the first weekend of March Madness is now one of among the top 5 events of the marketing year. Las Vegas, being a microcosm of the United States, is happy to participate in any major event.
In recent years, Las Vegas has become more of an event driven city than ever before. It’s never a surprise to hear someone say that they’re visiting Las Vegas to see a specific show, concert or a major conference. Sports fans are no different than the general population in this way. Sporting events draw people from all over. Even games not played in Las Vegas like the Super Bowl or the first weekend of March Madness have become events.
Spending the weekend watching and wagering on events like the first weekend of March Madness are a great excuse to plan a trip to Las Vegas. It’s not very different than hopping on an airplane or in a car to see the Electric Daisy Carnival or another event that takes place throughout the year. You can’t seeElectric Daisy Carnival in other cities but it’s not the same as being in Las Vegas. The same can be said for March Madness. There’s no experience like this anywhere except in Las Vegas.
I’m the kind of sports fan that would travel to watch March Madness if I didn’t live in Las Vegas. In 2009, I flew to Las Vegas just so I could be in town during a boxing match. I wasn’t going to the fight and it didn’t matter where I would watch Manny Pacquiao destroy Ricky Hatton. This was the kind of event that I needed to feel the buzz from. I didn’t wager on the fight but I did pay to watch it inside a ballroom at The Mirage. Everything about this weekend was amazing and it fueled my passion for Las Vegas. Watching the first weekend of March Madness does that to people today.
Every sports book will be beyond crowded with people watching and wagering on the games all day and night. It will be almost impossible to find a seat to watch the games during this weekend. In recent years the casino, restaurant and bar operators have realized the growing demand to watch the first weekend of games during March Madness and have created alternative viewing options. There are viewing parties for just about anywhere you can stick a TV. Here are some of the best March Madness parties in Las Vegas.
Hoops Central at the Westgate
The Las Vegas Superbook at the Westgate (formerly Las Vegas Hilton and LVH) is the home of sports betting in Las Vegas. It’s by far the most popular sports book in the entire city for sports fans (on a related note, they just finished a major renovation and you should check it out). The Westgate will open additional seating at the International Theater for the first weekend of March Madness. The theater will also be packed but it offers 1,500 more seats to watch the games on giant HD screens. The atmosphere is 100% sports fans and cannot be matched elsewhere regardless of how crowded the other viewing party is. Since this is a free event it will be packed and you’ll probably have to arrive an hour or two in advance to get a seat.
You can find more information here.
Hoops and Hops at the Cosmopolitan
This viewing party is held at the multi-level Chelsea Theater. This is the same venue where you’d typically watch bands perform at the Cosmopolitan. The empty floor and upper-level seating each offer a landscape for the Cosmopolitan to put on a great event. First and foremost the games are on TV’s all over the floor, on the stage and above on an arena style scoreboard. You can see the games wherever you’re sitting or standing. The Cosmopolitan erects a large bar for drinks on the floor and they bring in blackjack tables for gamblers and basketball hoops for those that need action at all times. There are VIP couches on the floor if you want a guaranteed seat or you can head upstairs of a more luxe experience. The plush concert seating has a direct view of the scoreboard screens and its own bars. There are plenty of great March Madness viewing parties in Las Vegas and this is easily a unique experience. On a related note, The Cosmopolitan just opened a new sports book on the first floor near the Chandelier Bar. You may not get a seat during March Madness games but it’s beautiful and you should check it out.
You can find more information here.
Hoops On The Strip
Caesars Entertainment offers multiple Hoops On The Strip viewing parties and locations. You can watch the games at Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Harrah’s or Planet Hollywood. Each location offers multiple TV’s, a guaranteed seat, food and beverage with each viewing party ticket. The Hoops On The Strip parties are no frills unlike the Hoops and Hops event at the Cosmopolitan. However, each viewing party should be perfect for large groups to watch the game on the Vegas Strip. My experience with Hoops On The Strip took me to Planet Hollywood a couple of years ago where I had a blast. There were plenty of seats for the games, beer was flowing and food was always available. Each property offers upgraded experiences, some of which are unique and perfect for a group. You can check on availability with a host at the hotel you’re curious about.
You can find more information here.
Other March Madness Viewing Parties
There may be multiple viewing parties at certain hotels so it’s impossible to discuss them all in depth. Here are couple parties to make note of along with some great resources:
The D – This is probably your best viewing party in downtown Las Vegas. The viewing party is traditionally dominated by serious college basketball fans. The D viewing party should be on top of your list if you want to watch the games in downtown Las Vegas.
Double Barrel Roadhouse – This bar and restaurant at Monte Carlo has one of the more affordable viewing parties on the Vegas Strip. There are lots of new HDTV’s and plenty of seating. The price is $100 for all the food and beer you can handle.
If you’re still looking for a party you can find a list on thevegasparlay.com and you can find a very information on the March Madness In Las Vegas group on Facebook (it’s members only but they’ll let you in).
