Vegas Gets To Flex Its Muscles For 2025 March Madness

The inaugural weekend of March Madness has just concluded.

Once again, visitors had a great time watching and betting on the games as the Las Vegas experience returned to its pre-pandemic conditions.

Although March Madness in Las Vegas is an enjoyable experience, even seasoned participants can observe changes over time, some for the better and some for the worse.

Next year, watching and wagering on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament should reach a new level.

Sweet 16 And Elite 8 In Las Vegas

While most college basketball enthusiasts are gearing up for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 this week, Las Vegas is already setting its sights on 2025.

Las Vegas will host Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games for the first time next year.

Typically, Las Vegas only hosts grand March Madness watch parties during the first weekend of tournament games. However, this could change next year as regional round games are scheduled to be played in Las Vegas and nationwide from March 23 to 25.

From the perspective of a fan and Nevada sports betting, the second weekend of March Madness in Las Vegas next year could potentially surpass the excitement of the NCAA basketball tournament’s opening weekend.

The atmosphere during the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, which will be held in Las Vegas, will resemble that of the conference tournament week. There will be opportunities to watch and bet on games from across the country in sportsbooks, alongside the tournament games happening in Las Vegas.

The primary distinction from the conference tournament week is that Las Vegas is expected to be busier and more costly.

How We Got Here

Before the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was repealed, states with legal sports betting couldn’t host NCAA championship events. However, this had to be amended as some states that usually host these championships were set to legalize sports betting.

The NCAA needs to revise its policy to guarantee that events can continue to occur nationwide. In 2020, they declared the locations for 450 championship events extending through 2025 and into 2026.

The announcement included Nevada being given the chance to host 11 NCAA championship events. The highlight of this was Las Vegas being selected to host the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball regional tournament games, which comprises of the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 rounds.

The tournament games are scheduled to be held at the T-Mobile Arena, located behind New York-New York and adjacent to Park MGM.

Hotel Rooms Already Sky High For The Sweet 16 And Elite 8

The biggest college basketball fans and bettors are fond of the conference tournament week in Las Vegas.

Part of the reason is that Las Vegas is less crowded and hotel rooms are more affordable compared to the first weekend of March Madness. The week of games also enjoys popularity as Las Vegas plays host to multiple tournaments and broadcasts all other matches in their sportsbooks.

Next year as well, this will remain accurate. An initial view of the average room rates at Caesars Palace hotel during conference tournament week stands at $316 per night. However, the rate jumps by $100 to $416 during the first weekend of March Madness.

The average price of a hotel room at Caesars Palace surges to $732 per night during the weekend of the NCAA men’s regional rounds in Las Vegas. With college students, staff, players, media, and tourists visiting Las Vegas, there’s bound to be a high demand for hotel rooms.

The trend of hotel room pricing in Las Vegas is expected to remain consistent, with fluctuations at different times over the next year. However, the pattern of increased rates during the various weekends of March Madness is likely to persist, as is customary in this city.

Live events are the biggest attraction in Las Vegas, and the March Madness games being held there should be no exception.

NIT In Las Vegas?

The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) may join the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in Las Vegas next year. The NIT is contemplating relocating its semi-finals and final game to Las Vegas.

Once, the NIT was the apex of college basketball events. However, nowadays, it is overshadowed by the NCAA basketball tournament. The teams that participate in the NIT are generally those that didn’t qualify for the NCAA basketball tournament.

The initial games of the NIT are hosted on college campuses. Since 1938, Madison Square Garden in New York City has been the venue for the NIT’s semi-finals and finals.

ESPN reports that the tradition may be coming to an end, with Las Vegas potentially being considered as a host for the final two rounds of NIT games in the future.

Potential locations range from historical stadiums such as Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to resort destinations like Las Vegas. A decision regarding this is anticipated within the upcoming months.

This year, the last two rounds of the NIT will take place on March 29 and 31. These mid-week games are scheduled not to clash with the Sweet 16, Elite 8, or Final Four rounds of this year’s NCAA basketball tournament.

If the scheduling stays consistent next year, it is plausible that both the NCAA basketball regional and the NIT semi-finals and final game could be hosted by Las Vegas. The NIT organizers may opt for a different location next year and consider Las Vegas for hosting in the subsequent year.

While the NIT might not be as publicly popular, it could attract substantial business interest in Las Vegas. The three basketball matches would entice mid-week visitors who may not have previously planned a Las Vegas trip, thereby boosting the city’s hotels and businesses.

Anticipate that the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority will make a major effort to host these NIT games.