When it comes to tourism as an industry, few destinations do it better than Las Vegas. Over 40 million visitors per year choose to vacation in Sin City, a number that is only going to increase in the future. But there's one area Vegas has dragged behind in.
Despite the fact that greater Las Vegas boasts a population of around three million residents, major sports leagues have long avoided it. That may have had something to do with Vegas being perceived as a gambling destination and nothing more.
That perception has changed in the past 20 years. Endless cheap buffets have been replaced by high-end restaurants created by internationally renowned chefs. Massive musicians and performers have long-term residencies. You can't walk five feet without tripping over a Cirque du Soleil show.
Major league Las Vegas
All of this has led to major league sports changing their tune on the self-proclaimed Entertainment Capital of the World. The WNBA, NHL, and NFL already call Vegas home with the MLB on its way. And at this point, an NBA franchise in Sin City is all but inevitable.
What was once a sporting wasteland is quickly becoming the focal point of sports in the United States. Given the 40 million plus people who go to Las Vegas every year, that only makes sense. Every single sport can benefit from that kind of visibility.
It also means big things for the residents of Las Vegas. Every team and league that calls the city home means more jobs for a permanent population that is going to continue growing. As such, Vegas may be on the verge of being the self-proclaimed Sports Tourism Capital of the World.
Sports tourism on the rise
While major league sports is still in its infancy in Vegas, the city already boasts two championship franchises in the WNBA's Aces and the NHL's Golden Knights. Both have become big-ticket draws for visitors to the city. The same is true of the NFL's Raiders, who recently hosted the Super Bowl.
A new stadium is currently being built for the MLB's A's which is leaving their home in Oakland, California behind for the Strip. It's not hard to imagine that this brand-new, state-of-the-art stadium won't attract tourists. The same will be true of the rumored NBA franchise waiting to be announced.
Sports fans will be able to travel to a destination that already boasts a huge array of tourist options. They could see any number of amazing shows, sample food from some of the best chefs in the world, and watch some of the best athletes compete. It's another winning hand for Las Vegas,