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Las Vegas is always changing, and 2026 will be no different. Visitors can expect major sporting events, new restaurants, a slew of residencies and limited engagements, as well as a wave of casino and hotel upgrades on and off the Strip.
There are no new casinos opening on the Las Vegas Strip in 2026, but one major project is well underway for 2027. Hard Rock International is rebuilding The Mirage, replacing the iconic volcano with its massive Guitar Hotel tower.
Instead of new casinos, visitors will see refreshed gaming floors and renovated hotel rooms across the Strip. The biggest change will come at a boutique hotel-casino that will be rebranded for the fourth time since opening in 1979.
Strip casino renovations and rebrands in 2026
The Cromwell will be rebranded as Vanderpump Hotel early this year. Caesars Entertainment has not released an official timeline, but hotel rooms are unavailable from Feb. 15 through April 12. The casino and Giada will remain open, and construction is expected to continue throughout the year.
Last year, MGM Resorts International announced a renovation of Aria’s hotel rooms. The project is expected to last all year. Once completed, the company will begin updating rooms at The Cosmopolitan.
Caesars Palace is renovating nearly 1,000 rooms in the Augustus Tower and updating the nearby VIP check-in area. The resort is also adding Omnia Dayclub, which will open directly on the Las Vegas Strip this summer.
After delays, Wynn Las Vegas will finally renovate the suites in the Encore tower. The project is expected to take the entire year, with most work scheduled during the slower summer months to minimize guest impact.
Wynn’s nightclub, XS, is closed for a major renovation and is expected to reopen later this year. Also debuting in 2026 is the first Zero Bond members-only venue in Las Vegas.
Flamingo Las Vegas is redesigning its hotel lobby, upgrading its VIP check-in area, and adding a new bar. Bugsy’s Bar on the casino floor will also receive a long-overdue makeover. Additional updates include a Salt & Straw ice cream shop and Category 10, a Luke Combs-inspired bar, restaurant, and entertainment venue replacing Margaritaville near The Linq.
Park MGM has dropped the NoMad brand in favor of The Reserve. The primary change is that the upscale hotel will now be bookable through Marriott Bonvoy.
Major sports events drawing fans to Las Vegas in 2026
Las Vegas has one of the most diverse sports calendars in the country, with professional football, hockey, baseball, basketball, and soccer teams. The city is also home to UNLV athletics and several college basketball tournaments.
Beyond traditional sports, Las Vegas hosts major events ranging from scripted entertainment to rodeos. The biggest sporting events scheduled for 2026 include:
- March 14-15: Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
- April 9-11: Frozen Four at T-Mobile Arena
- April 18-19: Wrestlemania at Allegiant Stadium
- Oct. 3-4: South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
- Nov. 19-21: Las Vegas Grand Prix Formula 1 race on the Strip
- Dec. 3-12: National Finals Rodeo at Thomas & Mack Center
Who’s playing Las Vegas in 2026
Las Vegas residencies and limited engagements remain the city’s premier concert experiences. These shows are often designed specifically for Sin City, offering unique set lists, themes, or visuals.
While many performers tour nationally, their Las Vegas productions are typically exclusive. For example, the Zac Brown Band residency at Sphere tells a personal story paired with visuals that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
Bruno Mars has performed a residency at the 3,300-capacity Dolby Live at Park MGM for years. His 2026 national tour will shift to stadiums seating 50,000 or more fans, beginning with two shows at Allegiant Stadium.
Major residencies and limited engagements scheduled for 2026 include:
- Jan. 23-Feb. 28: Eagles at the Sphere
- Feb. 3-28: Def Leppard at Caesars Palace
- Feb 4-7: Collective Soul at The Venetian
- Feb. 5-15: Backstreet Boys at the Sphere
- Feb.13-28: Chicago at The Venetian
- Feb. 13-21: Marc Anthony at Fontainebleau
- Feb. 14-21: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at Mandalay Bay
- Feb. 13-15: Hilary Duff at The Venetian
- Feb. 14-28: New Kids on the Block at Park MGM
- March 5-14: Illenium at the Sphere
- March 6-28: Jennifer Lopez at Caesars Palace
- March 6-14: Foreigner at The Venetian
- March 11-21: Sammy Hagar at Park MGM
- March 18-21: John Fogerty at Planet Hollywood
- March 18-28: Boy George and Culture Club at The Venetian
- April 2-4: Illennuam at the Sphere
- April 16-May 2: Phish at the Sphere
- April 22-25: The B-52’s at The Venetian
- April 24- May 2: Cyndi Lauper at Caesars Palace
- May 1-9: Mary J. Blige at Park MGM
- May 6-June 13: No Doubt at the Sphere
- May 15-23: Goo Goo Dolls at The Venetian
- May 27-June 6: Rod Stewart at Caesars Palace
- June 19-27: Kenny Chesney at the Sphere
- July 10-18: Mary J. Blige at Park MGM
- July 17-31: Kelly Clarkson at Caesars Palace
- Aug. 1-15: Kelly Clarkson at Caesars Palace
- Sept. 17-26: Dolly Parton at Caesars Palace
- Sept. 18-26: Sammy Hagar at Park MGM
Las Vegas music festivals to know in 2026
Weekend music festivals remain a major draw in Las Vegas. While summer temperatures limit outdoor events, the city still hosts several large, multi-day festivals.
- April 9-12: Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Festival at the Orleans (band, car show, burlesque and more)
- April 25: Sick New World at Las Vegas Festival Grounds (System of a Down, Korn and others)
- May 15-17: Electric Daisy Carnival at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (EDC, featuring Tiesto, Alesso, and others)
- Oct. 18-19: When We Were Young at Las Vegas Festival Grounds (punk and emo lineup to be announced)
The free Neon City Music Festival is expected to return during Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, Nov. 19-21, though details have not been announced.
New restaurants opening on the Las Vegas Strip
Dinner and a show remain staples of a Las Vegas vacation. Unlike casino renovations, restaurant openings can happen quickly, often with little advance notice.
Several high-profile restaurants opened in late 2025, with more planned for 2026.
Opened late last year:
- Gymkhana at Aria: The only fine-dining Indian restaurant inside a Las Vegas casino
- Carbone Riviera at Bellagio: A seafood-focused restaurant overlooking Lake Bellagio
- Cote at The Venetian: The Korean steakhouse’s first Las Vegas location
- Bazaar Meat at The Palazzo: The popular steakhouse relocated from the Sahara
Opening later in 2026:
- Corner Store at The Cosmopolitan: Replacing Blue Ribbon with American comfort fare
- Cantina Contramar at Fontainebleau: Authentic Mexican cuisine
- Maroon at Sahara: A Caribbean-inspired steakhouse from chef Kwame Onwuachi
- Sartiano’s Italian Steakhouse at Wynn: Located near the Zero Bond club and open to the public
Off-strip casinos get major upgrades
While many visitors focus on the Strip, off-strip casinos continue upgrading their properties to attract locals and value-focused travelers. These resorts have come a long way since the 1990s.
Green Valley Ranch in Henderson began renovating hotel rooms last year, with completion expected before the end of this year.
Rampart Casino at The Resort at Summerlin launched a major renovation and rebrand last year, introducing a new look and expanded dining options.
Sunset Station in Henderson began a large-scale overhaul in 2024 and continues with new bars and a refreshed casino floor.
Poker Palace in North Las Vegas was sold and closed for a remodel and rebrand. While details remain limited, it is expected to reopen before the end of the year.
M Resort in Henderson opened a new hotel tower just before 2026, doubling the number of rooms.
Looking ahead, Durango Casino Resort has begun a second expansion that will include a larger casino floor, additional restaurants, a movie theater, bowling lanes, and more.
