Super Bowl Stadium: A Guide to Allegiant Stadium
The NFL is venturing into new territory with Super Bowl LVIII. For the first time, the biggest sporting event of the year will be held in Las Vegas, with Allegiant Stadium serving as the site of the game. Since the stadium only opened in 2020, not all NFL fans are that familiar with Allegiant Stadium. For those who haven’t been there before or who are hoping to buy Super Bowl LVIII tickets, here is a guide with everything you should know about Allegiant Stadium.
History of Allegiant Stadium
Obviously, the history of Allegiant Stadium is rather brief. It took three years to build at a cost of $1.8 billion, making it the second-most expensive sports venue ever built. It opened during the summer of 2020, which was in time for the Raiders to play in Allegiant Stadium following their relocation from Oakland. The UNLV Rebels have also used the stadium as their home field. Allegiant Stadium has also been used as the site of the Las Vegas Bowl since 2021 and the Vegas Kickoff Classic, which also began in 2021.
Previous Events
Despite its rather short history, Allegiant Stadium has hosted a flurry of big events. In addition to hosting every Raiders and UNLV home game, as well as the Las Vegas Bowl and Las Vegas Kickoff Classic, Allegiant Stadium hosted the 2021 Pac-12 Championship Game, the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl, and a 2022 college football game between Notre Dame and BYU. It has also hosted the last two Pro Bowls.
Outside of football, Allegiant Stadium has also been the site of dozens of concerts, the WWE’s SummerSlam in 2021, the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2022, and a dozen high-profile soccer matches, including the 2021 Gold Cup Final. Allegiant Stadium has also been awarded the 2028 Final Four.
The Roof
The roof at Allegiant Stadium is one of the venue’s most unique features. It’ll be impossible not to notice it for anyone attending the Super Bowl. It uses the same architectural technology that SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, and countless other arenas have used to make the roof transparent while protecting spectators from the elements, most notably the extreme heat Las Vegas frequently experiences. Not only does this keep fans comfortable in a climate-controlled environment, but it allows natural grass to be used as the playing surface. As a complement to the roof, Allegiant Stadium also has retractable windows on the north side of the stadium, providing fans with a brilliant view of the Las Vegas Strip.
Best Places to Sit
For the Super Bowl, just getting in the building is a great experience for fans. However, not all seats are created equal, with Allegiant Stadium featuring multiple club and premium areas. Most of the seats along the sideline on the lower level of the stadium are club seats that offer a close view of the field and amenities not available to everyone in attendance. However, fans sitting in 200-level and 300-level seats have raved about the views from those parts of the stadium. With its modern design, the sightlines at Allegiant Stadium are excellent throughout the venue, meaning you don’t have to be at the 50-yard line to have a good view of the entire field.
What to Eat
As a new stadium, Allegiant Stadium pulls out all of the stops when it comes to concessions, and the venue will surely aim to kick things up another notch or two during the Super Bowl. Even during a normal game, the choices at Allegiant Stadium are almost endless. With two locations, the BBQ Mexicana features outstanding burritos and wraps. The Rollin Smoke Barbeque offers pulled pork and chopped brisket sandwiches. The Guy Fieri Bar and Grill is a place you won’t find at the average stadium fare and features Kobe burgers and trash can nachos. Even traditional stadium food like burgers, hot dogs, and pizza stand out compared to the average venue.
The Neighborhood
A big part of the appeal for Allegiant Stadium as a Super Bowl venue is that it’s close to the famous Las Vegas Strip, giving fans an endless list of entertainment options in the days leading up to the game. On game days, shuttle services offer transportation along the strip, making it easy to get to the stadium from many of the dozens of hotels located in the heart of Las Vegas.
At the same time, many of the hotels, casinos, and other entertainment venues are within walking distance of Allegiant Stadium, including the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, which is the site of the Super Bowl Experience during the week of the game.
It’d be impossible to list everything that fans can do before or after games at Allegiant Stadium, but suffice it to say that there are world-class restaurants, concert and entertainment venues, and multiple casinos in close proximity to the stadium, so there is never a dull moment when visiting Allegiant Stadium. There is even a sports betting lounge located within the stadium, which is one of several unique features fans will only find at Allegiant Stadium.