Key Points:
- Allegiant Stadium is an amazing structure, and the tour explores nearly every facet of it.
- My guide was informative & enthusiastic. Really set the tone.
- I enjoyed how nuggets about the Raiders’ culture, shaped by Al Davis, were woven into the experience – “Just win, baby!”.
Allegiant Stadium is a 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 $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.
As an avid NFL fan, meaning I enjoy betting on the games, I thought it would be fun to finally take a tour and recap the experience here (with plenty of pictures).
Ticketing and Check-In
A guided tour costs $69.95, can be pre-booked here, and will take you into nooks & crannies that you’d never be able to see on gameday.
Once my ticket was purchased, I received an email with my mobile ticket and housekeeping information like where to park, which gate to enter, and what time to arrive.
Free parking is offered in Lot C, 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 on the stadium’s concourse and included restrooms, along with 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 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 many of the spaces we visited and was able to 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 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 woven into parts of the tour, which added 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 awe-inspiring about looking out over a completely empty stadium.
Resorts along the Strip are visible from the concourse near the Al Davis Memorial Torch, which I can imagine is an amazing sight at night.
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, it was explained that the network broadcasting any given game turns this space into a hive of activity on game day.
We also saw 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, featuring both artifacts and photos.
The wow factor doesn’t tail off once inside the actual dressing room.
Although we couldn’t go in, we peeked 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 Champions’ 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.
Fun to visualize Maxx Crosby ripping a post-game cigar.
Just outside the locker room, we saw 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 Raiders’ playing surface.
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) through which the 4-foot-tall tray is rolled in.
Artwork
One of my favorite aspects of the stadium was the artwork around every corner that celebrated Raider history, the city of Las Vegas, or both simultaneously.
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 humanity’s intelligence. A tough task after doomscrolling social media.
It blows my mind that there are people who can plan and subsequently construct massive, 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 energetic tour guide, and a chance to see the nooks and crannies of the stadium, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of Raider history and culture woven into the tour. In my opinion, that took it to the next level.
Fans of the Raiders, the NFL, gambling on 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 allow fans 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.