Super Bowl weekend is one of the busiest times of year to be in Las Vegas casinos. Approximately 300,000 will be in town, and it almost feels as though they all watch the Big Game. These people make watching the Super Bowl a bit more challenging than a typical Sunday of NFL games.
The Super Bowl isn’t just another football game. This is an event that transcends your typical game. More than 110 million people have watched the Big Game each of the past four years. Approximately 7 of every 10 televisions had the game on in 2017. The intensity of watching the Super Bowl is greater in Las Vegas than most places since just about everyone has at least one wager on the game. Many bettors have action on multiple Super Bowl prop bets as well.
To be clear, just keeping an eye on the game on television isn’t really a challenge. The Super Bowl will be available on just about every television in a casino. The challenge is finding a comfortable place to watch the entire Super Bowl. There are plenty of options to watch the game, but it may not be how you might normally watch sports in a casino.
Sportsbooks
Sportsbooks in Las Vegas still have open seating available on a first-come first-served basis. However, you may have to search for a casino to watch the game in the sportsbook for free. Many of the sportsbooks on the Vegas Strip are reserving some seats for customers willing to pay directly or wager significantly enough with the sportsbook operator.
It’s often easier to find a free general admission seat in a sportsbook off the Vegas Strip. Make sure you have some patience if you want to find a free seat in the sportsbook to watch the Super Bowl. By game time every free seat in and around the sportsbooks will be occupied.
You should arrive at the sportsbook no later than an hour before the kickoff ceremonies to find an available seat or three. You’re safer if you take a seat a couple hours before kickoff.
Free watch parties
Some casinos away from the Vegas Strip, like South Point, will open their ballroom to show the Big Game. This isn’t the traditional sportsbook experience but it’s pretty great. Seating is general admission with food and beverage available for purchase. The Las Vegas ballroom party experience is made better than a ballroom in anywhere, USA.
There are often betting stations available at these parties. If there aren’t stations in the room, there’s always a sportsbook nearby. Of course, you can always fund a mobile sports wagering app before Super Bowl Sunday and never leave your seat.
Paid watch parties
These parties can be found in restaurants, bars, and even casino ballrooms. You’ll pay a fee for the party, but that fee guarantees that you’ll have a seat to watch the Super Bowl. Depending on the party you might have a meal, drinks, or both included.
This year, Virgil’s at The Linq has a $40 Pig-Out available. This is just a meal, but should be enough food to satisfy any hungry person. All-you-can-drink booze is another $75, so you might be better off just buying a few drinks unless you plan to go…wait for it…hog wild on the drinks.
These parties can be a great relief if you don’t want to worry about having a seat to watch the Super Bowl. There’s definitely something to be said for just being able to enjoy Las Vegas without sitting in a sportsbook waiting for the Big Game to begin.
VIP parties
These parties are complementary and typically organized by a casino for their biggest spenders. For example, higher tier Caesars Entertainment Total Rewards members might be able to watch the game with complimentary food and beverage in the Diamond Lounge.
Other members might receive an invite to a restaurant for a restaurant or bar for a private viewing for a limited number of member. Check with a casino host ASAP to see if you’re eligible for a special Super Bowl experience.
Casino bars and restaurants
Even if they have a party, bars and restaurants may be open to the general public. If you don’t have a reservation, you might be able to walk in before game time for dinner and/or drinks. Chances are good that you might have to wait for a seat. All guests, as usual, will be expected to spend money on food, drinks, or both.
You may find a seat to watch the Super Bowl at a casino video poker bar. These seats are often reserved for people playing the machines. The new drink monitoring systems track how much you’re playing, so drinks might not be complimentary like they have been in the past.
