Event Calendar
Blu-ray DVD format movies at the Sony booth at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
It's always a good time to go to Vegas, but here are some special events of note from the sports world and beyond. All of the events below are staged in Vegas -- of course, the Super Bowl and the NCAA Tournament are great times for a sports fan to be in town as well.
CES (Jan. 8-11, 2007)
At the Consumer Electronics Show, more than 100,000 people attend as exhibitors show off the newest gadgets and latest technology. It's geeks gone wild.
http://www.cesweb.org
2007 NBA All-Star Weekend (Feb. 16-18, 2007)
Las Vegas will be the first non-NBA city to host All-Star Weekend, and the buzz has already begun. Expect a raucous, Super Bowl-type frenzy. The bad news? Ticket prices are ridiculous and there will be no gambling (at least in Nevada) in any of the local casinos on the events or game.
http://www.nba.com/news/lasvegas_allstar.html
Tennis Channel Open (Feb. 27 - Mar. 5, 2006)
The ATP tour returned to Las Vegas in 2006 for the first time in two decades at the new Darling Memorial Tennis Center, located just off the Strip. The "Tennispalooza" festival which surrounded the event included competitions in table tennis, paddle tennis, racquet stringing, fastest serve, even air hockey, plus a motocross exhibition.
http://www.tennischannelopen.com/
NASCAR UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 (Nextel Cup - March) and Sam's Town 300 (Busch Series - March)
Traffic moves a lot faster at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, about 12 miles north of downtown, than it does on the Strip. Seating capacity was recently expanded to nearly 150,000 at this 1.5-mile track.
http://www.lvms.com/
Monster Jam World Finals (Mar. 25, 2006)
Let's all say it together: M-M-M-Monster trucks! W-W-W-World Finals! S-S-S-Sam Boyd Stadium!
http://www.ushra.com
LPGA Takefuji Classic (Apr. 10-15, 2006)
Female golfers compete for a total purse of $1.1 million at the The Las Vegas Country Club.
http://www.lpgatakefujiclassic.com/
Amp'd Mobile Supercross Finals (May 6, 2006)
The final round of the World Supercross GP/AMA Supercross Series features the best riders in the world competing at Sam Boyd Stadium.
http://www.sxgp.com/
Arena Bowl XX (June 11, 2006)
Feed your football fix this summer by watching the wacky Arena League's 20th (really?) championship game. For the second straight year it's at the Thomas & Mack Center. Tickets ($12-$125) can be purchased now.
http://www.arenabowl.com
1-866-AFL-TIXS
Vegas Summer League (July 6-14, 2006)
Catch a top young NBA draft pick or rising star in action at this league, which will feature 16 teams in 2006. Games are played at Cox Pavilion.
http://www.vegassummerleague.com/
World Series of Poker (July 28 - Aug. 10 or 11, 2006)
Get in touch with your inner Gabe Kaplan and check out the WSOP at The Rio. Last year's winner, Joe Hachem, took home $7.5 million. ESPN.com's Bill Simmons will try to do the same this year. Interested in competing? Take a look at the poker section of our Vegas Gambling Overview for more info.
http://worldseriesofpoker.com/
NASCAR Las Vegas 350 (Craftsman Truck Series - Sept. 23, 2006)
This race is also held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
http://www.lvms.com/
PGA Las Vegas Invitational (Oct. 12-15, 2006)
The TPC at Summerlin and TPC at The Canyons courses host this pro golf tournament.
http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r047
National Finals Rodeo (Nov. 30 - Dec. 9, 2006)
Described as the Super Bowl, the World Series, and a rodeo rolled into one. The event, which sells out annually, showcases the top riders, ropers, and steer wrestlers in seven events. Country singers provide additional entertainment.
http://www.nfr-rodeo.com
1-888-NFR-RODEO
Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl (TBA - Dec. 2006)
This matchup at Sam Boyd Stadium will feature the fourth selection from the Pac-10 against the first selection from the Mountain West Conference.
http://www.lvbowl.com
New Year's Eve (Dec. 31, 2006)
It may not have the history and prestige of Times Square, but hey, it does have easy access to casinos. Hundreds of thousands descend upon Vegas for New Year's as the Strip is closed to traffic and a titanic fireworks display is unleashed at hotels up and down the street at the midnight hour.
http://www.americasparty2006.com/
Concerts/Comedians (Nightly)
Lots of great acts come to Vegas, from rock bands to solo performers to famous comedians. These two sites tell you who, what, where, and when. Order your tickets online to ensure a seat.
http://www.pollstar.com
http://www.vegas.com/shows
Next: Sample itinerary | Back to Index
Ty Bronicel is a freelance writer and a former ESPN.com editor.
