No matter if you’re a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs or San Francisco 49ers, this year’s Super Bowl could be the biggest ever — Las Vegas will host the title match-up for the first time. For perspective, the city is already the world’s biggest destination for Super Bowl Sunday, with about 300,000 people annually flooding the hotels, sports books and restaurants. Add the excitement of proximity, and analysts estimate that number could go up to 450,000 visitors by kickoff on Feb. 11.
While only 65,000 fit into Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, those unable to score a ticket will have plenty to see. Here is the play-by-play on where to stay, what to eat, the pre-celebrations to attend and the thrilling game-day watch parties.
Go to Super Bowl LVIII
The Las Vegas Raiders’ state-of-the-art stadium, which opened in 2020 at a cost of $1.9 billion, is the perfect place for the big game and Usher’s sure-to-dazzle halftime performance. The sparkling venue has a retractable practice turf, a live grass roll-in for game day and the darkest roof membrane ever made — ensuring no shadow lines appear on the field. In 2023, the stadium debuted 16 club suites featuring premium sightlines and services. There were already more than 120 suites inside Allegiant, catering to the discerning high-stakes customer base the city typically attracts.
The Death Star, as the stadium is lovingly called due to the Raiders’ silver and black color scheme, is within walking distance from the south end of the Strip. And in usual Vegas fashion, offers VIP amenities such as Wynn Field Club, a nightclub in the end zone.
If seeing the action is part of your game plan, some tickets are already going for upwards of $6,600 on secondary markets. For those without Deebo Samuel-sized bank accounts, the annual Super Bowl Experience takes place at Mandalay Bay Convention Center from Feb. 7 to 10 at the reasonable price of $25 to $50 per day. Consider it a football theme park where you can collect autographs from NFL players and legends, take a pic with the Vince Lombardi trophy, see the Super Bowl ring collection, shop for merchandise and participate in interactive games.
Where to Stay
While the Strip has around 150,000 hotel rooms, the count could come up short if everyone expected, in fact, shows up. The key to winning the busy weekend is booking a location that will best serve your needs: Are you looking for stadium proximity or a great watch party? Just in town for a possible Taylor Swift sighting? Ready to wager on every prop bet?
If you are going to the game or want to feel like you are staying near the action all weekend, you’ll find the closest, most luxurious accommodations at the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas. All 424 guest rooms and suites have been refreshed and are steps away from football’s biggest event. The Four Seasons is one of the only hotels with a stadium view, and packages running three or four evenings that start around $3,600 a night. On game day, pop into the Tailgate Brunch at indoor-outdoor restaurant Veranda, which serves seafood, sushi, barbecue and team-themed cocktails.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened in December and offers the standout Panorama Suite with views of both sides of Las Vegas due to its corner-of-the-building positioning. At the end of the hallway, the bar and dining table for eight make this a sure bet for a Super Bowl weekend stay.
You’ll feel right at home when you huddle up in the 1,817-square-foot Five-Star Wynn Tower Suites Salon. The posh unit features custom artwork and a canopy-framed Wynn Dream bed. The color palette and textures create a relaxing and comfortable aesthetic. The living room’s dual sofas surrounding the 4K 75-inch television make this the best spot to stay in and watch the game. Set up snacks in the dining alcove and flood the granite wet bar with your favorite libations. Celebrities favor Tower Suites’ private entrance and check-in, so it’s anyone’s guess who might be on your red-carpet arrival. Wynn hosts big game bashes at Allegro, The Buffet and Charlie’s Sports Bar.
Lovers of fine cognac and fast cars can also stop by Wynn for limited-time retail experiences from Louis XIII and McLaren. The former’s fabulous pop-up will be open until Feb. 12 and provide personal contact with brand ambassadors, access to limited-edition products and tailored options. At The McLaren Experience Center, powered by super dealer O’Gara, customize your new set of wheels or simply buy a T-shirt and dream.
Entertainment and Parties
Christina Aguilera returns (Feb. 9 and 10) to her new show at Voltaire Belle de Nuit in Four-Star The Venetian Resort Las Vegas after her headline-making New Year’s Eve debut. The theater’s 1,000-person capacity makes it one of the hottest tickets in town. Aguilera channels her inner showgirl throughout the intimate performance, a dramatic display of her 20-year catalog with tracks like “Genie in a Bottle” and “Lady Marmalade” in addition to classic tunes such as “You Don’t Own Me” and “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.”
For fashion devotees, Aguilera wears a one-of-a-kind look from late French designer Thierry Mugler. Production design enthusiasts will appreciate how the room is filled with hundreds of glass bubbles of varying sizes that rise and lower throughout the night, making you feel as if you are swimming in a champagne glass.
Another one of pop’s leading ladies, Kelly Clarkson, brings her show back to Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood for Super Bowl weekend (Feb. 9 and 10).
Country superstar Luke Combs headlines the BetMGM Big Game Bash at The Chelsea in Forbes Travel Guide Recommended The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Feb. 10.
Bruno Mars performs at Dolby Live at Park MGM Feb. 7 and 9. His highly anticipated lounge, The Pinky Ring at Bellagio, will also debut over the weekend. Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, the cocktail lounge and funky jazz bar make you feel like you have been dropped into a fantasy penthouse that aligns with Mars’ aesthetic.
On the comedy circuit, Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer co-headline MGM Grand, and Sebastian Maniscalco goes Live in Las Vegas at Encore Theater in Wynn on Feb. 9 and 10. Shaquille O’Neal brings his All-Star Comedy Jam to Resorts World Theatre with Deon Cole, D.L. Hughley, Earthquake, Desi Banks and Aida Rodriguez on Feb. 9 and 10, too.
At Zouk Nightclub, Kevin Hart hosts back-to-back nights with T-Pain (Feb. 8) and a yet-to-be-announced special guest (Feb. 9). Popular DJs Illenium and Kaskade perform on Feb. 10, and Ludacris closes things out there Feb. 11.
Resorts World sets the stage for the Maxim Casino Royale Experience on Feb. 10 as the 100,000-square-foot, indoor-outdoor Event Center transforms into a vintage Vegas-inspired affair with cocktails, bottle service and food from the resort’s restaurant collection. VIP hospitality comes courtesy of Miami nightclub E11EVEN. Though 50 Cent is the only headliner named at press time, previous performers at MAXIM Big Game events have included The Chainsmokers, Tiesto, Lil Baby, Zedd and Post Malone. With more than 7,000 people expected, it will be the club’s largest fete to date.
Hosted by Andrew Zimmern, Carla Hall, Tim Love, Lasheeda Perry and Mark Bucher, Las Vegas chefs and mixologists bring their best bites and sips to Taste of the NFL on Feb. 10 at Keep Memory Alive Event Center. Benefitting the GENYOUth End Student Hunger Drive, expect participation from local restaurants Giada, Esther’s Kitchen, Buddy V’s, RPM Italian and others.
Michelob ULTRA transforms Topgolf Las Vegas into the Michelob ULTRA Country Club on Feb. 10. Weezy and T-Pain are confirmed performers while athlete sightings, food, drink and, of course, plenty of swings are also on the docket.
Sports Illustrated’s S.I. The Party Presented by Captain Morgan, takes over XS Nightclub on Feb. 10 with The Chainsmokers and Kygo. The party hosts all 32 nominees from the NFL Fan of the Year Contest, celebrating the biggest NFL superfans from each team. Also, Shaq’s Fun House takes over XS on Feb. 9 with the busy Lil Wayne and Diplo.
Game-Day Watch Parties
Crush at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino celebrates Big Game Sunday with butler-style table-side selections of barbecue pork sliders, lollipop chicken wings with gorgonzola fondue, Mexican street corn and much more. Packages include food with the option to add bottomless drinks.
Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar at Mandalay Bay sits adjacent to Allegiant Stadium and showcases the 50-yard line experience with a 30-foot-long LED viewing screen in the main dining room and high-definition TVs throughout the venue. There is a premium open bar, an all-you-can-eat menu and a post-game party.
Las Vegas turns into Flavortown thanks to Guy Fieri hosting a tailgate behind the High Roller Observation Wheel and The LINQ Promenade. An estimated 10,000 fans will gather to enjoy the food festival and complimentary musical performances from Dustin Lynch and Diplo at Guy’s Flavortown Tailgate is Better with Pepsi.
Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge at Resorts World gets in on the action with multiple televisions positioned throughout the lounge, a curated themed drink menu, packages, photo opportunities and giveaways. After the game, a DJ starts at 10 p.m.
Stay tuned for our 2024 Star Awards announcement on February 7, 2024.
