The opening weekend of March Madness is fast approaching and many of us are planning our annual pilgrimage to the Mecca of gambling – Las Vegas.
An annual passion project of mine, I aim to maintain the most comprehensive rundown of Las Vegas March Madness watch parties to help you easily find a good fit for the crew.
I’ll add watch parties as they’re announced, so check back often as you evaluate options – It’s still early and many venues have yet to announce details.
Free Watch Parties
The D March Hoops Viewing Party: The D holds a free watch party in their 12th-floor Detroit Ballroom with food and drink available for purchase. The event is first come first served, so getting there early is recommended.
Venetian Pool Party
Madness in March at TI: Treasure Island is hosting a free party in their 2nd-floor ballroom from March 20th through March 22nd. Doors open at 8:00am, and betting stations and concessions will be offered.
Circa’s Galaxy Watch Zone: A FREE party, Circa’s Galaxy Watch Zone will again be available on a first-come, first-served basis. This one will be a hot commodity – I’d get there early. Circa will also have paid party options in their sportsbook and at Stadium Swim.
College Basketball Madness at El Cortez: A free viewing party, El Cortez will offer food and drink for purchase on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the first weekend.
March Fever at Golden Nugget: Open to the public, GN’s party will feature massive screens, betting stations, and stadium-style food and drink for purchase.
Notably, you can guarantee a seat by buying a full-day VIP ticket, which costs $256.38 on Thursday and $266.38 on Friday and also includes 4 free food items and 5 drink tickets.
More Madness at South Point: An annual tradition for many, South Point’s free party will take place in the Grand Ballroom and be completely free. Inexpensive stadium food and drinks will be available for purchase ($5 drinks, $4 Bud, $20 buckets of beer). As tends to be the rule with free parties, we’d recommend getting there early if you want a seat.
March Hoops at GVR: Green Valley Ranch will host a free watch party on March 20th & 21st in their Estancia Ballroom. Doors open at 8:30am.
Basketball Bonanza at Palms: Palms will host a free watch party at their pool from March 20th to the 23rd. Doors open at 8:30am, and bring your trunks!
March Hoopla at Gold Coast: Doors open at 8am for Gold Coast’s annual free party in the Nevada Ballroom that’ll feature unspecified food & drink specials.
Paid Watch Parties
Off-Strip Watch Parties
Westgate Hoops Central 2025: Westgate’s theater viewing party is back. Every seat in the house costs $45+ fees on Ticketmaster. Stadium food and drink are available for purchase.
I’ve attended this viewing party previously and thought it was a great setup and atmosphere for the price – I’ll be here Friday in 2025!
The George at Durango: A half-day seat at The George’s watch party can be yours for a $150 food and beverage minimum and a full-day seat bumps that minimum to $250.
If you have yet to visit, Durango is built to Impress.
Rio’s Full Court Frenzy: A seat for 1 to 3 people at Rio’s Masquerade Village watch party can be yours for a $300 minimum spend commitment (it’s $300 whether you have 1, 2, or 3 people).
Strip Watch Parties
Hoops & Hops at The Cosmopolitan: Entry to Cosmopolitan’s annual watch party starts at $300 for the full day and includes an open bar pass. Seating isn’t reserved, and is first come, first served.
Hoops Mania at the Hard Rock Cafe 2025: Attendees will gain access to Hard Rock’s game day buffet and premium open bar for $300 daily.
A 3-day seat is slightly discounted at $750.
Bleau Buckets at Fontainebleau: An open bar pass to Fontainbleau’s party, hosted in the BleauLive Theater start at $200. Drinks offered include beer, wine, soda, and well drinks.
Azilo Ultra Pool at Sahara: Best described as a “mini Stadium Swim” thanks to a 240’x40′ video wall, Sahara is offering free admission to all, but open bar packages cost $145 (9am-3pm) or $240 (full day).
Chickie’s & Pete’s at Sahara: Also at Sahara, a full-day seat at Chickie’s & Pete’s starts at $320.94, but $250 of that becomes a food & beverage credit.
HyperX Esports Arena at Luxor: An all-day ticket to HyperX’s March Mayhem watch party costs $135 and includes 5 “call brand” drink tickets. Food is sold separately.
March Mayhem at Rockhouse: A half-day seat at Rockhouse can be had for a $175 minimum spend agreement. A full day is slightly discounted at a $300 F&B minimum.
March Mayhem at AmeriCAN: Located along the LINQ Promenade, AmeriCAN is offering a full-day seat and access to an open bar for $175.
Beer Park at Paris: The popular rooftop bar at Paris is offering full-day seating starting at $200 minimum spend per person.
Blondies at PH: Located in the Miracle Mile Shops, Blondies is offering a seat for $100 food and beverage minimum per seat, per session (am and pm).
Heads up: Blondies also charges a (cash grabby, scammy, no good) 5% “CNF Fee”.
Brackets at The Stadium at Venetian: Tickets to Brackets (in the former Lagasse’s Stadium space) start at $200 and include an all-day open bar. Food items can be ordered from an a la carte menu and general admission seating is first come, first served.
Montecristo Cigar Bar at Caesars Palace: Seating to Montecristo’s Hoops On The Strip Party starts at $500 for a 2-person table, $250 of which becomes a food and beverage credit.
Vista Cocktail Lounge at Caesars Palace: Seating to Vista’s Hoops On The Strip Party starts at $400 for a 2-person table, $200 of which becomes a food and beverage credit.
Stadia at Caesars Palace: Seating at Stadia’s Hoops On The Strip Party starts at $400 for a 2-person table, $100 of which becomes a food and beverage credit.
Interlude & Bound at Cromwell: A table for 2 at either one of Cromwell’s Hoops On The Strip Party costs $100 and includes 2 drink tickets.
Fan Zone at Flamingo: Flamingo’s Hoops On The Strip Party offers views of the pool, full-day admission, and a bucket of beer for $225 per person.
Carlos’ n Charlie’s at Flamingo: Half-day tickets to the March Crazyness 2025 party start at $121.90 and include a seat and an open bar (well drinks). You can upgrade to a premium open bar for about $40 more.
Montecristo at Paris: A table for 2 people at Montecristo starts at $400, $200 of which converts to a food and beverage credit.
STRAT: There are several Festival of Hoops watch parties at STRAT, each includes stadium-style food and an open bar.
A bar seat at PT’s starts at $225, tickets to their showroom watch party start at $200, and a seat in their View Lodge start at $450 for a 2 person table ($225pp).
Topgolf: A unique watch party option, Topgolf offers an array of viewing options that include in their video wall atrium and hitting bays.
Hitting bays start at $650 and can accommodate up to 8 guests. Golf is included, and $330 of that sticker price is billed as a food & beverage minimum.
March Mania at Aria: Hosted in their Proper Eats Food Hall, tickets start at $75 and include AYCE food from the restaurants that make up the hall.
The party page mentions “bottomless brunch cocktails” and curated cocktails, but I don’t think they’re actually included in the price… In all honsty, I think they used AI to write their party description, because it’s awful.
Atomic Golf at STRAT: Tickets to Atomic’s watch party start at $100 per person, per 4-hour session, and include open bar access, first come first served seating, and shared access to golf bays.
Fremont Street Watch Parties
March Mania at Plaza: Plaza’s annual party will be hosted in their Showroom and games will be projected on a 24-foot video wall. Single-day tickets are available for $100, and include AYCD draft beer, soft drinks, and a raffle entry.
I’ll be attending this bad boy on Thursday in 2025 – See you there?!
Circa’s Stadium Swim: A number of options exist to watch the game outdoors at Circa’s impressive rooftop pool amphitheater. General admission is $80 for the whole day but doesn’t include a seat, or food & drink.
Daybeds, couches, and cabanas are also available, but start at around $3,000 minimum spend agreement for a full day.
Circa Private Watch Zones: Circa also is offering half and full day private watch zones for groups of 6 or more that cost $400 and $600 per person respectively and include unlimited food and drink, TVs, and more.
For those making the trip, I also recommend joining the March Madness in Las Vegas Facebook group which is a wealth of knowledge. There, you can use the search function to see historical party reviews and ask questions (be prepared for some good-natured snark).
March Madness Eve Party at STRAT
The group also throws an annual “March Madness Eve” party, which will take place on Wednesday, March 19th.
The party costs just $50 and includes 6 hours of AYCD bottled beer, 3 hours of AYCE food, and a great atmosphere with like-minded degens waiting to blow their roll on the games.
Simply join the group on Facebook to read up on, and sign up for the party!
Did I miss your viewing party? Let me know in the comments and I’ll add it!
Related: Blow your bankroll? Check out these 95+ Free Things to do in Vegas!
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.
Zinc
Wednesday 29th of January 2025
Appreciate you putting this list together.
Thursday 23rd of January 2025
Jake....best watch party in Vegas is the MMILV FB group's setup at the Strat Thur-Sat. A booth that seats five in the showroom with all you can consume liquor/wine/beer and food all day is $1K. Best organized party with great viewing angles and best value available.
Jake
Thursday 23rd of January 2025
I was going to book it! Looked like it was sold out for the day I needed. I'll jump on it quicker next year.
BG
Thursday 2nd of March 2023
Hi - any way to update which ones include a bar and betting windows? All the ones where they have a viewing theatre it is unclear if you can walk to a window or if they sell drinks and food inside.
Eric
Monday 21st of February 2022
Prior to Covid, the Flamingo Hotel and Casino also held a "Hoops on the Strip" viewing party in their 2nd floor conference room. Usually the cost was around $200 a day which included an open bar and buffet, and sportsbetting stations outside of the conference room. Have you heard if they will be doing that again this year?
Matthew
Monday 3rd of January 2022
I am wondering at the Westgate. What is the alcohol situation there? Is there an open bar option?
Jake
Monday 30th of January 2023
@Drew, they were Vegas prices, but not terrible. It was a couple years back at this point but I believe it was $6 for a 16oz can. BUT, I tipped my ticket writer like $10 when placing my bets and she gave me a FAT stack of free drink tickets.
Drew
Monday 30th of January 2023
@Jake, How much are the drinks? Normal Vegas prices or do they have cheap beer specials?
Jake
Monday 3rd of January 2022
@Matthew, Unfortunately not. It's a cash bar after you drink your one freebie.