Slots & Sport: What’s Happening In Vegas
In the world of sport there are few things that compare to a fight night in Las Vegas. In fact outside of sport there are few things that compare to a fight night in Las Vegas. The buzz, the lights, the more often than not – Floyd Mayweather, the whole world focuses on Sin City. It’s what Vegas does best (Photo credit: Pixabay.com).
And that makes it a big of a shame there isn’t more sport in the city. It’s one of the largest cities in the United States without a major league team. It’s always been avoided due to the links in gambling, but whilst continued rumours filter around town that a franchise is on its way, they always fall flat.
However, there are still some fine sporting events hidden away to drag you away from the slot machines, it’s just looking in the right place.
We take a look at five upcoming events to match the excitement of any night on blackjack tables…
NBA Pre-Season

Whilst Vegas doesn’t have any major league teams, that doesn’t mean some of the biggest franchises in the world can’t visit. The Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, and Kings will all be touching down on the Strip, with the Lakers meeting the Kings on October 24, and the Clippers taking on the Nuggets just six days earlier.
Vegas is known for its world-class performances, after all where else can you see Elton John, Rod Stewart, and Britney Spears? But with Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, and Blake Griffin in town, there’s only one place you should be heading.
UNLV Rebel Football vs Nevada 
Visit any bar in Vegas on a Sunday and it’ll be filled with NFL fans from across the country whooping on their team, but if football fever gets too much, head down to the Sam Boyd Stadium and cheer on the UNLV Rebels. With a series of fixtures over the coming months, the regular season culminates on Thanksgiving weekend against state rivals the Nevada Wolf Pack.
Combining football on Saturday and turkey on Sunday, your Las Vegas trip is almost complete – just a win on the slots to go.
UFC

Whilst there may be no boxing in town until Floyd Mayweather returns likely in May next year, but all is not lost as UFC returns to the city, with one heck of a fight. In Mayweather’s lair, the MGM Grand, it’s the ideal excuse to head to Vegas for the new year, taking a step away from the casino and enjoying a bet on the Light Heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Daniel ‘DC’ Cormier.
The pair both have unbeaten records, and it’s all set to kick-start the new year of UFC in the most thrilling city in the world.
Henderson 250 Desert Race

Heading out to the desert isn’t just great for the Grand Canyon or a spot of alien hunting, take a trip south of the Strip to Henderson and you can discover the 250 Desert Race – the final event of the Best in the Desert series.
Taking place every year, the race wows spectators over the first weekend of December, and this year is set to be no different. Trade the sounds of dropping coins for roaring engines, and enjoy the 13th year the city has welcomed the Best in the Desert – although it’s not going to be an unlucky year for everyone.
NASCAR Weekend
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Photo credit: Pixabay.com.
And keeping with the motor theme, the north of the city holds the huge Las Vegas Speedway. The Kobalt 400 takes place every year and is the sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup race of the series in 2015.
Nothing quite matches the enthusiasm of NASCAR fans and March 9 will see over 100,000 fans touch down at McCarran to not only watch teams race round at over 150mph. The sports betting markets go crazy in every casino, whilst new Nevada state laws give you the chance to have a few free bets on your mobile live at the track, amidst the dozens of other events that make it one of the most exciting weekends in the state.