We’ve exhausted just about every way that you can guarantee a seat to watch the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Those methods usually involve money and not everyone wants to drop at least $75-$100 per person to watch a football game. That's understandable. Saving money on a guaranteed seat means you have more money to wager on the game.
You can still get a free seat at just about every sportsbook in Las Vegas but it’s not easy on Super Sunday. Every book in Las Vegas will be packed before the game even starts, so you might want to do a little homework to ensure you can get a chair have a great experience. Consider this a cheat sheet for your free Las Vegas Super Bowl experience.
Watching the Super Bowl in Las Vegas is unlike anywhere else in the world. Just about everyone watching the game has a wager. Emotions run a bit higher when there’s money on the line. Even a private party with 20 people can be more intense than you’ll normally experience. Frankly, it’s awesome. We’ll get into sportsbook size a little later.
First and foremost, if you want a seat you're going to want to arrive early to the book. We're not talking a few minutes before the broadcast begins but waaaaay before the game starts. TV coverage begins at 3:30 so you’ll probably want to scout for a seat around 1-1:30. Consider this early arrival an investment of time to save a few bucks. Arriving two hours early to save $100 turns out to be $50 an hour for your time. That's not the worst valuation of your time.
Super Bowl Sunday is the busiest sports betting day of the year and lines to wager can reach 60-90 minutes depending on your location. Many of those people will go to a viewing party after placing but plenty will return for a seat. Arriving early will allow you to save time in line but also help ensure that you have a seat. Holding seats with a jacket or a sign probably won’t work so bring a friend if you want to get food, drink or use the restroom.
Selecting a sportsbook to watch the game takes a little more work than you might think. You may be required to place a wager in order to secure a seat at some sportsbooks. If you plan on wagering where you watch that might be fine, as long as you meet the minimum requirement.
CG Technology sportsbooks have some of the most beautiful screens in Las Vegas but you may be required to wager more than you’re comfortable with in order to procure a seat. The amount isn’t always the same, so you’ll want to check before choosing the location. William Hill sportsbooks might have a smallish wager requirement. Again, this is something you'll want to confirm before choosing the location.
Obviously, the larger the sportsbook the more seats that are available. I prefer the environment of a larger book regardless of which game(s) are on. The sportsbooks that are open to the casino like The Mirage and Red Rock Resort aren’t only large but they offer more space for random people to wander in and watch the game. The extra people can make for an intense viewing experience.
The bigger the sportsbook the better for a crowd experience. Larger sports books also give more chances to snag a seat. There’s no bad environment but some are better than others. I prefer open spaces with lots of people.
Not every sportsbook offers the same level of comfort. You may be able to find big comfy lounge chairs but you may find adequate, but not awesome, banquet style chairs in the sports book. Aria, Bellagio, The Mirage, MGM Grand, The Venetian have some of the most comfortable seats for a Las Vegas book.
Since you’re getting to the game early, you’re going to want to ensure that there is easy access to food, drink and restrooms. Most sportsbooks have easy to access to these locations but some offer more than just one of each. There are multiple restaurants within 20 seconds of The Mirage sportsbook that offer different types of food to go. They also have cocktail waitresses making the rounds, so you may not have to get up for a drink. Not too shabby.
If you're looking for an alternative venue, the Westgate and South Point have two of the most popular sportsbooks in all of Las Vegas and will be overcrowded. Each will open a theater and ballroom, respectively, because there are so many people that want to watch the game for free. People will begin lining up to watch the game in the smoke-free theater at the Westgate very early in the morning. They understand the commitment for a free seat and a great environment.
There are plenty of great places to watch the game for free. Just arrive early, bring a friend, be patient and enjoy.
Best ways to score a front-row seat to the biggest betting day in Las Vegas
Watching the Super Bowl in Las Vegas is unlike anywhere else in the world. Just about everyone watching the game has a wager. Emotions run a bit higher when there’s money on the line.
