Key Points:
- Allegiant Stadium is an architectural marvel, and the tour explores everything from the locker room to the owner’s suite, press box, and more.
- My tour guide was both informative and enthusiastic. She set the tone and ensured everyone had a great time.
- I also enjoyed how nuggets about the Raiders’ culture, which was shaped by the late Al Davis, were woven into the experience – “Just win, baby!”.
Allegiant Stadium is a glorious monstrosity, located just off the Strip in Las Vegas, serving as the home for both the Las Vegas Raiders and the UNLV football teams.
The venue cost a whopping $1.9 billion to construct and can hold up to 65,000 fans. According to Allegiant’s website, the stadium boasts 2,300+ TVs, 44 escalators, and 75,000 square feet of video boards. To say she’s modern would be an understatement.
As the scale of the stadium’s construction mesmerized me over the months leading up to its debut, I thought it would be fun to finally take a formal tour of Allegiant Stadium and recap the experience here (with plenty of pictures).
Ticketing and Check-In
Allegiant Stadium tour tickets can be purchased in advance here, and come in two distinct flavors:
Guided Tour ($65.99): A baseline package that entitles you to a guided tour of Allegiant Stadium’s nooks and crannies, many of which are not visible on gameday.
Guided Tour & Drink with a View ($84.99): In addition to the standard tour, guests are treated to a cocktail or snack underneath the Al Davis Memorial Torch at the tail end of the tour. The area offers both great views of the stadium below and the Las Vegas Strip outside.
I personally opted for the cheaper guided tour ticket, as I’m frugal to a fault.
Once my ticket was purchased, I received an email with my mobile ticket and housekeeping information like where to park, where to enter, and what time to get to the stadium.
Notably, free parking is offered in Lot C, which is steps away from the stadium entrance. Alternatively, folks on the south end of the Strip can walk from Luxor/Mandalay Bay to the stadium by crossing the Mandalay Bay Road bridge over the interstate.
Upon arrival, an employee scanned my ticket and handed me a lanyard with my pass. I was told to hang out in the assembly area, which had plenty of seating, until a tour guide called for white lanyards.
The waiting area was located in the stadium’s concourse and offered a set of restrooms in addition to a concessions stand that sold snacks, sodas, and beer. A lot of beer was being sold 🙂
Right on time, my “white lanyard” tour group was summoned and we were off to see the innards of the stadium.
Highlights of the Allegiant Stadium Tour
Our Guide
She was great.
From the first moment, she brought the energy, which made the tour so much more enjoyable. While I’m not a Raider fan, about 1/2 of the group was what I’d describe as “die-hards” and she got them all revved up.
A former Raiderette (cheerleader) herself, she brought a unique perspective to a lot of the spaces we visited and was able to really speak to the culture and values of the Raider organization as a whole.
While I can’t speak to every Allegiant Stadium tour guide, mine was spectacular.
Al Davis & Raider Culture Focus
While I expected the entire tour to focus on facts about the structure, I enjoyed the unexpected focus on the history of the Raider organization and the culture that the late owner Al Davis created.
Delving into Al Davis’ legacy started early, as the tour started at the base of the Al Davis Memorial Torch, which is a tribute to his declaration that “The fire that burns the brightest in the Raiders’ organization is the will to win”.
Aspects of Al Davis’s legacy and philosophy were intertwined into parts of the entire tour, which was a unique and insightful touch.
There was no shortage of “Just win Baby” exclamations.
The Views
Although these views are available to anyone on Raider game day, there’s something unique and awe-inspiring about looking out over a completely empty stadium.
Resorts along the Las Vegas Strip are also visible from the concourse near the Al Davis Memorial Torch, which I can imagine is an amazing sight at night.
Notably, those that upgrade to the “Drink with a View” package will enjoy their cocktail in the shadow of the torch, with a view of the field and of the Strip.
Access To Exclusive Areas
Access to areas that regular fans would never dream of seeing is what makes stadium tours unique, and the Allegiant Stadium Tour hit all the good stuff.
Below are a few examples of exclusive areas that I enjoyed:
The press box that the broadcast crew calls home is perched above the 50-yard line and offers one of the best perspectives of the field available.
Although deserted during our visit, it was explained that the network broadcasting any given game turns this space into a hive of activity on game day.
We also had the opportunity to see the post-game interview room, where the tough questions are posed.
A fun photo opportunity, guests were invited to get up behind the podium and pretend to be taking questions.
The team’s cheerleaders, the “Raiderettes”, have to have one of the nicest locker rooms in the NFL. Before entering their dressing room, there’s a museum of sorts that pays homage to the group’s history and includes both artifacts and photos.
The wow factor doesn’t tail off once inside the actual dressing room.
Although we didn’t go in, we had the chance to peek into the UNLV Football team’s locker room. It looked pretty bare bones, with minimal frills. The Raiderettes have it way better.
The lounge areas, bars, concourses, and artwork (more on that below) in the 100 & 200-level suites and Champion’s Club were sincerely extraordinary.
While the “commoner” areas of the stadium are built to impress, the premium seating sections exude class and give a guy (me) a little inspiration to get filthy rich.
The franchise’s 3 Lombardi Trophies were also on display in the Champion’s Club.
Among the more luxurious spots visited was owner Mark Davis’ personal suite, which had its own bar, white leather couches, and stadium seating out front.
Not a bad way to catch a game.
One of the highlights of any stadium tour is the team’s locker room. Allegiant’s had a modern, trendy vibe and you can just imagine how chaotic the space gets on game day.
Just outside the locker room, we were able to see some training equipment, pools, etc. although most training activity occurs at the team’s facility in Henderson.
The tour culminated with field access. There was a crew setting up for a private event, so our movement was slightly restricted, however, being on the field is always a memorable and unique experience.
While the real grass field that the Raiders play on was outside getting sun, the turf that UNLV plays on was laid down and painted to resemble the Raider’s field.
When the Raiders play, the real grass field (which sits on a tray) is rolled in from the outdoors.
We were able to see the “mail slot” (below) that the 4-foot-tall tray is rolled in through.
Artwork
One of my favorite aspects of Allegiant Stadium was the artwork around every corner that celebrated Raider history, the city of Las Vegas, or a combination of the two.
Here are some of my favorites:
The Verdict: Is a Tour of Allegiant Stadium Worth Doing?
Touring an enormous structure like this restores my faith in the intelligence of humanity.
It blows my mind that there are people able to plan and subsequently construct massive and complex projects like this. I can’t even complete a Lego set with my kids. Unreal.
As for the tour – I left impressed. Every aspect of the experience exceeded my expectations.
While I expected a quick check-in process, an enthusiastic tour guide, and the ability to see the nooks and crannies of the stadium, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of Raider history and culture that was woven into the tour. In my opinion, that took it to the next level.
Fans of the Raiders, the NFL, or even architecture nerds in general, are likely to agree this tour is worth the price of admission.
Ultimately, it’s cool to watch a game on TV and see the field, hallways, press box, etc. that you’ve personally stood in before. Stadium tours like this give fans an opportunity to feel more connected to the game they love.
If you’re on the fence about an Allegiant Stadium tour, I’d encourage you to book it. You’ll be happy you did.
Related Itinerary Inspiration:
Feature Image Credit: ©kitleong/123RF.COM
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.