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February in Las Vegas is highlighted by professional football. Super Bowl weekend on Feb. 10-12 is traditionally one of the busiest of the year.
Casinos tend to open new or renovated sportsbooks around this time every year. New sportsbooks at the Fremont and Downtown Grand opened in January.
The sportsbook at Mohegan Sun Casino inside Virgin will be open in time for the Big Game. The newly renovated sportsbook inside Paris should also be open by the time the Super Bowl kicks off.
Lastly, visitors to Horseshoe (formerly Bally’s) should be reminded that the property no longer has a traditional sportsbook. There’s a sports betting counter in the hallway to Paris where a new Guy Fieri Flavortown bar/restaurant is under construction.
Anyone driving to or around Las Vegas should be aware that a major multi-year construction project started at the I-15 and Tropicana in January. This website is a good reference for what work will be done over the next few years.
In addition to the Super Bowl, Las Vegas has a slew of returning performers. Let’s take a look at the news and rumors in Las Vegas for February.
Super Bowl in Las Vegas
Now that sports bettors can wager in the majority of states around the US, visiting Las Vegas for the Big Game is more about the experience of watching the game with other bettors and fans somewhere other than home.
There are no sportsbook environments that can match the size and scope of those in Las Vegas. The emotion of watching a football game at any of the large sportsbooks is unmatched.
Many sportsbooks offer reserved seating for big games like the Super Bowl for those who don’t want to sit and hold a seat. I’ve watched the Super Bowl in all settings in Las Vegas. Nothing matches the large sportsbook experience.
Some of my favorite large Vegas sportsbooks include:
- Westgate
- Circa
- Wynn
- Mirage
- Mandalay Bay
- The Venetian
- Red Rock
- Green Valley Ranch
There are plenty more sportsbooks throughout the Las Vegas valley. The sportsbooks are so busy that there are watch parties all over town. You can find a good overview of venues here.
There are a few Super Bowl watch parties with complimentary general admission. You’ll have to pay for food and drinks at these parties but that’s offset by no fee to enter. It should be noted that general admission seating means there may not be a reserved seating option.
Paid Super Bowl parties will cost about $100-$150 per person to start. Prices go up from here.
Watch parties can be great but some may resemble watching at a bar/restaurant anywhere in the US. I always recommend looking for something that’s a different experience than at home.
Lastly, mobile sports betting apps in Nevada operate on a separate system from the rest of the country. The Nevada apps are not connected with the same brands in other states. All new accounts must finish being set up in person at a sportsbook inside of a casino. You learn more specifics here.
Sports in Las Vegas
While Super Bowl weekend is a big deal in Las Vegas, the game will take place elsewhere this February. The Big Game will take place in Las Vegas next year.
The NFL Pro Bowl is returning to Las Vegas the week before the Super Bowl takes place in Arizona. Events for the new “Pro Bowl Games” will take place throughout the first week of February.
There will only be tickets to certain events. On Feb. 2, visitors can watch the East-West Shrine game at Allegiant Stadium. This game features some of the best college football players in the country.
The main Pro Bowl event, including a flag football game, will take place at the same venue on Feb. 5.
The Vegas Golden Knights have a handful of home games taking place at T-Mobile Arena in February:
- Sun. Feb. 12 vs. Anaheim at 12 pm
- Thu. Feb. 16 vs. San Jose at 7 pm
- Sat. Feb. 18 vs. Tampa Bay at 7:30 pm
- Thu. Feb. 23 vs. Calgary at 7 pm
- Sat. Feb. 25 vs. Dallas at 7 pm
In January the WNBA announced that its All-Star weekend will take place in Las Vegas on July 14 and 15.
Las Vegas residencies and limited engagements
There is always a steady stream of music residencies in Las Vegas. While these aren’t the 365-day-per-year engagements like the 1980s, many resident artists return to Las Vegas for short blasts of shows throughout the year.
Some of the most popular Las Vegas resident artists are returning for shows this month. There are even a few new faces spending a few days in Las Vegas in February.
The month actually begins with a different type of show. From Feb. 3-5, Chris Hansen from “To Catch A Predator” will perform a one-man show at the South Point. Here are some other shows to catch in February.
- Bruno Mars at Park MGM: Feb. 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 14
- Luke Bryan at Resorts World: Feb. 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11
- Bryan Adams at Wynn: Feb. 1, 3, 4
- Styx at The Venetian: Febr. 1, 3, 4
- Adele at Caesars Palace: Feb. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25
- Katy Perry at Resorts World: Feb. 15, 17, 18, 22, 24, 25
- Boy George & Culture Club at Wynn: Feb. 15, 18, 19
- Jonas Brothers at Park MGM: Feb. 17, 18, 19
- Usher at Park MGM: Feb. 24, 25
- Jack Johnson at Wynn: Feb 24, 25
- Chicago at The Venetian: Feb. 24, 25
January wasn’t a busy month for residencies in Las Vegas. However, there were a handful of entertainment announcements and rumors throughout the month.
Las Vegas show and festival announcements and rumors
The Lovers & Friends festival will take place at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on May 6. Some of the performers include Missy Elliot, Mariah Carey, Pitbull, Usher, and Christina Aguilera. The initial batch of tickets is sold out but there are hotel and concert packages available.
Resorts World announced an impressive list of resident artists that will perform at Zouk nightclub and Ayu dayclub this year. Tiësto, Jack Harlow, deadmau5, and Travis Scott are some of the performers. You can see the full list here.
Blake Shelton’s Ole Red broke ground outside Horseshoe (formerly Bally’s) in January. The new country music venue should be open in time for the Las Vegas Grand Prix F1 race in November.
The MSG Sphere at The Venetian is still under construction and should also be open in time for F1 cars to zoom around it in November. The new entertainment venue will have the newest audio and video technology.
While U2 is openly discussing its possible Las Vegas residency at the MSG Sphere, there’s a new rumor of a European artist bringing his solo talent to the venue. The Sun is reporting that Harry Styles could perform a series of shows at the new venue on the north end of the Vegas Strip.
Casino news and rumors
If there’s one constant in Las Vegas it’s that the casino experience is always changing. Visitors will notice some subtle differences the next time they visit Cosmopolitan.
MGM Resorts closed on a deal to purchase operations of the Vegas Strip casino located between Bellagio and Aria last year. The first change was switching the sportsbook to BetMGM last year.
The transformation to becoming an MGM property is taking place elsewhere in the casino now. Guests will see MGM Riches slot machines on the casino floor. They’ll also notice that massages are now offered at table games every few minutes.
Another change is that bartop machines have switched from tickets for complimentary drinks to a light system. The casino bars still offer premium complimentary beverages and signature cocktails up to $20. However, guests can no longer stack tickets to get ultra-premium spirits or bottles of wine. Some of the value from playing bartop machines is lost in the change.
The Cosmopolitan will continue to transform into an MGM property for the next few months. Look for the Cosmopolitan to be part of the MGM Rewards system by this summer.
Identity, the Cosmopolitan rewards program has a Match My Offer promotion. The property will match a room, food, beverage, and gaming credit offer from other properties. This seems like a good excuse to visit the Cosmopolitan.
The rumor mill says that MGM Resorts might not be done expanding its Las Vegas holdings by purchasing M Resort in Henderson.
There was an interesting Twitter thread making the rounds about the cost to be a “VIP” at the Cosmopolitan. Keeping track of this information is good for budgeting. This is also a good reminder that complimentary items from a casino aren’t “free.”
Fontainebleau received funding to finish the big blue casino on the north end of the Vegas Strip between the Sahara and Wynn. The property is on schedule to open before the end of the year.
This could become a swank destination for the area. Fontainebleau brings Miami flare from the original property and the company has hired a slew of executives from the Cosmopolitan. Keep your eyes open for this property.
Last but not least a new Wildfire casino and Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino at Hotel Jefe are opening in downtown and North Las Vegas, respectively in February.
