Nevada Takes Home-Field Advantage

Betting on organized sporting events once had a checkered past—anyone remember the Black Sox? While friendly wagers have likely occurred since man first challenged another to a race, until recently, the combination of legalized betting and organized sports was frowned upon. For Nevada, that meant we watched as pro and semi-pro teams expanded across the U.S., but never to the Silver State. Well not anymore.

A Supreme Court ruling in 2018 opened the door to legalized gaming across the nation, thereby removing Nevada’s disadvantage. In the past decade, the state has become home to professional teams in almost every major organization, including the NFL, NHL, MLB, and WNBA. Due to the state’s population dispersion, it’s no surprise these teams are centered around Las Vegas. Not all the action is in the south, however. Northern Nevada has also found its way into the sporting world with semi-pro teams that offer as much entertainment and action as their big-league counterparts for those looking for great games on a more budget-friendly ticket.  

Lake Tahoe Takes The Ice

Lake Tahoe entered the professional sports scene in 2024 with the introduction of the Tahoe Knight Monsters, an ECHL hockey team. Affiliated with the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, the Knight Monsters play at the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline, a state-of-the-art facility within walking distance of the largest alpine lake in the country.

Reno Plays Ball

Since 2009, the Biggest Little City has been all in with the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Home games at Greater Nevada Field in downtown are always well attended, offering a family-friendly atmosphere and myriad promotions that keeping fans coming back throughout the season.   

Las Vegas Scores Big

While the sports scene in Las Vegas has exploded in recent years, semi-pro sports have been in the valley since 1983. That’s the year the Las Vegas Stars—a Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres—came to town. The team went through several evolutions before becoming the Las Vegas Aviators in 2019, now affiliated with the Oakland A’s. Home games are played at the Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin, which was built in 2019 and boasts a swimming pool just outside center field. 

Las Vegas Lights FC is the state’s only pro soccer team. Launched in 2018, the team is a part of the Western Conference of the USL Championship and is sanctioned by the U.S. Soccer Federation as a Division II professional league. The team plays at the historic Cashman Field.

Nevada hit the big leagues in 2017 with the establishment of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, who have already become a formidable presence in the league. The team reached the Stanley Cup finals in their season and actually won the cup in 2023. Home games are held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In 2020, the Henderson Silver Knights took to the ice as an affiliate of the Golden Knights. Part of the AHL, the team has played under different names—most recently the San Antonio Rampage—since 1971. Home games are played at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson. 

The WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces has also garnered attention, securing multiple championships since its debut in 2018. The team had previously incarnated as the Utah Starzz and the San Antonio Silver Stars. In 2022 and 2023, the Aces won back-to-back WNBA Championship titles. Home games are played at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.

The NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders made their Nevada debut in 2020, bringing football fever to the desert. Playing in Allegiant Stadium—built specifically for the team—the Raiders are a consistent attraction for both die-hard fans and visitors looking to catch a professional football game. 

Eye on the Prize

Looking ahead, MLB’s Athletics are set to relocate to Las Vegas, with plans to play in a new retractable-roof stadium— set to be built on The Strip by 2028. While no plans have been announced, it’s been said the NBA is looking at the city for an expansion team. If that happens, Nevada will have a part of every major league sporting franchise. But the growth of Las Vegas as a sports mecca doesn’t end there.  

In 2024, the Raiders’ home field—Allegiant Stadium—played host to Super Bowl LVIII. Also in 2024, Formula 1 arrived with the Las Vegas Grand Prix, a night race that covered a portion of the iconic Strip. The event will happen again in 2025. Nevada has truly arrived in the pantheon of professional sports.  

Megg Mueller

Content Development Director

Location: Reno

Megg Mueller has been with Travel Nevada since April 2014. She started in the role of managing editor for Nevada Magazine and is currently the content development director for Travel Nevada. Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, she began her career as a journalist in 1993. Megg has worked for national and regional newspapers, book publishers, travel websites and magazines, but says working with Travel Nevada is the culmination of her desire to share her love of her home state with the world.

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