Las Vegas, long celebrated for its dazzling entertainment and world-class hospitality, continues to strengthen its position as a premier destination for major sports events and corporate gatherings.
This was on full display during the recent Preview Mania 2025—a play on the Preview Las Vegas name that foreshadowed the addition of the WWE’s Wrestlemania 41 to the destination’s storied lineup. This year’s occasion, hosted by the Vegas Chamber in the new South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, not only showcased the city’s success in hosting large-scale productions but also offered valuable insights for meeting and event planners looking to harness Las Vegas’s unique offerings.
The Las Vegas Advantage
One of Preview Las Vegas’ most-awaited presenters, Jeremy Aguero, Principal Analyst at Applied Analytics, kicked off the event, highlighting the city’s unparalleled advantages. “How many markets in the United States have 150,000 hotel rooms? How many? One! This one,” he emphasized, followed by, “How many of those markets that also have 150,000 hotel rooms have a top 10 airport within five miles of the resort corridor? Zero! None of them!”
The city’s venue infrastructure, he added, further solidifies its appeal. “300,000 seats in sporting locations and entertainment venues,” Aguero stated, touching on the vast array of options for off-site functions, team-building activities and post-conference entertainment.
Aguero also spoke on the significant impact of athletics on Las Vegas’s transformation and growth, pointing out that the city has become a major destination for sports, with 3.2 million people attending these types of events in Southern Nevada last year. He also noted the success of facilities like Allegiant Stadium, Sphere and T-Mobile Arena in terms of revenue generation and popularity. The lineup of high-caliber competitions and home teams that have reshaped the city’s entertainment landscape include the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Las Vegas Aviators, UNLV Runnin’ Rebels Basketball, Henderson Silver Knights, WrestleMania, NASCAR, Las Vegas Grand Prix, National Finals Rodeo and Super Bowl 58—to name but a paltry few.
WWE Comes to Vegas
And this April, Las Vegas will host Wrestlemania 41, an event expected to bring a week’s worth of fans to the city and one that Aguero described as a “juggernaut.” According to Nick Khan, President of WWE, “We sold more tickets in the first 72 hours for this event in terms of ticket revenue than in the history of WWE for any event.” The economic impact of such events is substantial. Steve Hill of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority noted, “As we look at events, we look at bringing people down, putting heads in beds and the economic impact of that. We also look at the marketing value that these marquee events bring to the city.”
The event’s reach, Khan explained, will be “80 percent of the globe” (it will stream on Netflix)—an exposure that can translate for planners into increased attendance, sponsorship opportunities and enhanced prestige for their events.
Sphere’s Game-Changing Potential
While sports events have been a driving force in Las Vegas’s growth, the city has also revolutionized the business functions landscape with exceptional venues that are part of its jaw-dropping 14 million square feet of exhibit and meeting space. Bill Walshe, Executive VP and Global Head of Venue Operations and Development, underscored Sphere’s potential in transforming these gatherings. “I think brands using Sphere in order to help promote their corporate message is going to be something that we will see happen more and more frequently,” Walshe stated, citing Delta Airlines’ massively successful event during last year’s Consumer Electronics Show. “ Their utilization of the venue was extraordinary. They literally used every square inch of what we had.”
“We have a phrase where the medium meets the message, and I think that the technology medium of Sphere supported the elevation of what would otherwise be considered a typical keynote to become itself immersive,” he added. With activations possible on the Exosphere, inside its Atrium, its haptic-enabled chairs and 4D effects, Sphere offers a level of technological integration that can elevate any event into an extraordinary, memorable experience. “At one point during Ed’s keynote,” shared Walshe, “he was announcing partnerships and collaborations and alliances, and one of them involved coffee. And at the moment he mentioned the word ‘coffee,’ the air became infused with coffee smell.”
Of note for planners whose clients are part of the “No Shoes Nation”: Walshe added as an aside that Sphere’s next residency in May will be Kenny Chesney.
Well-Rounded Appeal
Las Vegas’s comprehensive offerings extend beyond just cutting-edge venues and accommodations. Aguero emphasized the city’s well-rounded appeal: “World class shopping, world class dining and you can go see Bruno Mars or Garth Brooks or Adele or whoever’s in town that week.” The ability to seamlessly integrate high-profile entertainment into event itineraries is a unique selling point for Las Vegas, offering planners the opportunity to elevate their events with star-studded performances or exclusive experiences that would be challenging to replicate in other destinations.
